Several major technology companies have signed a global agreement designed to apply common set of principles for how to do business in nations that restrict free speech and expression.

Competition for the search market, advertising deals and talks with the Department of Justice aside, Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft got together and came up with an initiative that will see a set of common guidelines applied to what user data will be shared with governments around the world. The initiative is an effort to protect freedom of expression and counteract the belief that they have helped censorship in some countries.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, both Human Rights First and the Committee to Protect Journalists banded together and helped the tech companies in forming The Global Network Initiative.

The Initiative’s goal is to protect online users’ personal information in countries where the companies do business. Mercury News reports that in addition to limiting the personal data they share with governments, the companies also agreed to assess the human rights climate in a country before they begin practicing business there.

According to Mercury, the new guidelines will require clear, written communication from the government detailing the legal basis of the request for information before any personal details are handed over.

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