"I can't imagine that China will be OK with making China part of the global Facebook," he added. "A Chinese-only Facebook. They would probably want to restrict some communication within China. And given their fears about agitation and things like that, I'm sure they don't want people on Facebook to read about things outside of China."

And while some people might take issue with Facebook's agreeing to limit Chinese users, others, according to Gottheil, will contend that it's not an issue. After all, Facebook, he said, isn't as much about the flow of information as it is to stay in touch with friends.

Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at or subscribe to . Her e-mail address is .

in Computerworld's Web 2.0 and Web Apps Topic Center.