SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Silicon Valley tech experts said Tuesday that search giant Yahoo appeared to be trying to make up for its admitted role in turning over personal information to the Chinese government that led to the arrests and jailing of dissidents who used Yahoo.

Yahoo has begun planning for what it calls a "human rights fund" that aims to help victims of government censorship, by providing legal advice, and other assistance, NBC11's Scott Budman reported.

"(Yahoo's role in the Chinese dissident controversy) was, many thought, a deserved criticism," said Budman in his reporter's notebook. "But for all the criticism Yahoo took, the company deserves some praise for what it's doing now."

In what many experts said was a powerful and symbolic move, Yahoo picked Harry Wu, a former political prisoner once deported by the Chinese government, to oversee the company's plan.

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Many human rights activists who were recently critical of Yahoo's actions were praising the company Tuesday, Budman reported.

"Yahoo undoubtedly faces challenges operating in China, but by taking this stand, it's leading the way for other companies to do the same," Budman said. "With so much focus on China as the Olympic Games approach, Yahoo's timing, and its actions, are commendable."