With China planning to make its Internet content-filtering software Green Dam Youth Escort mandatory for all personal computers to be sold in the country July 1 onwards, a Washington-based group representing IT companies - including America's leading computer manufacturers and software developers - has urged China to reconsider its decision.

Industry as well as rights groups have expressed the concern that not only would the carrying out of the government-sponsored plan be unclear; it would also affect millions of computer users. The concerns of most groups pertain to aspects like the compatibility and support for the software; cyber-security and Internet freedom.

In a joint statement, the US companies, urging for a reconsideration of the Chinese government's imminent content filtering move, said: "The Information Technology Industry Council, the Software & Information Industry Association, the Telecommunications Industry Association and TechAmerica urge the Chinese government to reconsider implementing its new mandatory filtering software requirement and would welcome the opportunity for a meaningful dialogue."

In their request for a reassessment of the move, the US IT companies said that they would appreciate an "open and healthy dialogue" with the Chinese government to work out measures for marketing the parental control software in such a way that it does not encroach upon issues like privacy, system dependability, security, free flow of information, freedom of expression, and users' choice.