PC makers ship products with Green Dam software

Two Taiwan-based PC manufacturers as well as mainland giant Lenovo have begun including the "Green Dam" web-filtering software in products shipped to Chinese consumers despite a supposed delay in its introduction, the Wall Street Journal reported. Acer said it was complying with government requests to make the software available even though it has yet to become a requirement. Asustek added that it was complying because it believes the requirement will eventually come into effect. Lenovo said it was up to customers whether or not they installed the software. Hewlett-Packard and Dell have yet to distribute "Green Dam" with their computers, while Sony started doing so but then stopped. There has been significant public, industry and international opposition to making the software mandatory. Beijing said it was intended to keep children from viewing harmful content, but others see it as a move to further regulate internet use.