Question

Other members of the initiative cite this victory in rejecting assertions by Microsoft, Amazon and other U.S. corporations that doing business in China legally compel them to abet government censorship efforts. Which of the following options best defines the term 'abet' in the given context?

1) beg persistently and urgently
2) introduce or initiate
3) assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
4) hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of

Answer 1

The term 'abet' in the given context means to assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing. It implies corporations like Microsoft and Amazon might have assisted the Chinese government's censorship efforts.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context provided, the term 'abet' refers to option 3: assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing. This means that the corporations mentioned, such as Microsoft and Amazon, are alleged to have supported or facilitated the Chinese government's censorship efforts by complying with local regulations, possibly contrary to broad ethical principles. This assisting or encouraging could be in the form of adhering to laws and regulations that limit free speech or help suppress information that the government deems improper. China exercises stringent control over internet content and has frequently been criticized for censoring speech and suppressing dissident activities online, affecting both domestic companies and foreign corporations doing business in China.