While Google agreed to censor its search data in China, and gained an unlikely defender in Microsoft, another technology company took the opposite approach.

Anonymizer, which makes Internet privacy software, said today it's working on a anti-censorship solution tailored for Chinese citizens. "Someone needs to counter this momentum that is running in the wrong direction," said Lance Cottrell, president and chief scientist at the San Diego company. Anonymizer aims to release the software by the end of March.

More details on the solution from Anonymizer today: the service will be free in China and it's the same solution the company currently offers to Web users in Iran.