Bloomberg: LinkedIn Reviewing Censorship Policy In China

LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD: Quote) is reviewing its censorship policy in China so that content from its Chinese members that is not allowed in the Communist nation can be viewed globally, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

LinkedIn, the world's largest online professional social networking company, had expanded into China this year and adopted policies in line with that country's censorship rules. However, the company is now said to be strongly considering changing its censorship policy, according to the Bloomberg report.

The company is said to be informing people when content deemed inappropriate by the Chinese government is blocked. If a LinkedIn user in China shares a post that is in conflict with the Chinese government's rules, the content is blocked not only in China, but around the world, Bloomberg reported.

However, LinkedIn is said to be worried that the practice may end up preventing Chinese users who want to spread their messages outside their country. LinkedIn rolled out its Chinese website in February this year after earlier having only an English-language site there for more than a decade.

Other social-media companies too have struggled in China. Facebook Inc. (FB) remains banned in China, but was reportedly considering opening of a sales office to work with local advertisers there.

Facebook may open an office in the world's second-largest economy within a year to cater to the growing customer base there.

China is one among the relatively untapped markets for Facebook, whose social-networking service was banned by the Chinese government in 2009. The company uses an office in Hong Kong, and sells ads to Chinese customers who want to reach global audiences.

LNKD closed Tuesday's trading at $225.00, down $0.75 or 0.33 percent on a volume of 1.60 million shares. However, in after-hours, the stock gained $0.10 or 0.04 percent to $225.10.

by RTT Staff Writer

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Bloomberg: LinkedIn Reviewing Censorship Policy In China