Beijing - To promote freedom of expression and privacy rights, Google Inc., Microsoft Corp., and two other companies are planning to develop a code of conduct with a coalition of nongovernmental organization.

The two organizations with Yahoo Inc. and Vodafone Group announced that the new guidelines are the result of talks with Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School. The involved party stated that they will be developing a framework, which would hold signatories accountable for their actions in the areas of freedom of expression and privacy rights.

The participating groups in development of the guidelines include: Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School; Business for Social Responsibility; Electronic Frontier Foundation; Human Rights Watch; along with Reporters without Borders.

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