Yahoo says it backs privacy after dissident freed

Beijing: Yahoo has issued a statement saying it supports free speech and privacy on the Internet, a day after the release of a Chinese dissident who was convicted on evidence supplied by the company.

Yahoo Inc. said it condemns political suppression "wherever and however it occurs."

The statement released Saturday did not directly address the case of Wang Xiaoning, who served 10 years in prison after Yahoo's wholly owned Hong Kong subsidiary gave Chinese police information linking him to anonymous emails and other pro-democracy writings he distributed through Yahoo Groups.

Yahoo drew strong criticism for cooperating with Chinese authorities. It later apologized and settled a lawsuit with the families involved for an undisclosed amount.