The Great Firewall of China strikes again! Chinese authorities have blocked access to iTunes because several Olympic athletes downloaded a pro-Tibet album. As an ignorant American, how China handles its business re: Tibet isn’t any of my concern, but blocking iTunes while the Olympics are still ongoing seems unsophisticated to me. Why play into the perception that you’re a dissident-crushing monster when the world’s media is crawling all over your capital? ::shoulder shrug::
The block was first noticed as Chinese folks began to flood Apple support forums saying they couldn’t access iTunes. It turns out that the album Songs for Tibet, by the band (of sorts, it’s mainly a compilation thing) The Art of Peace Foundation, didn’t please Chinese authorities, especially since Olympic athletes were offered it for free as a “subtle form of protest.” Not subtle enough!
My favorite part of the story is how a Chinese Web site, china.org.cn, reported popular reaction to the album, saying that Chinese folks were “incensed” and that people were “rallying together to denounce Apple.”
Also, those Chinese gymnasts were totally underage. Let’s be mad, together! At everyone!
Lets see what they decide to do given the new proof China’s team were underage (as if still losing baby teeth isn’t enough)…oh wait – nothing.
“Why play into the perception that you’re a dissident-crushing monster… ?”
I’m pretty sure this is more than a perception issue. China IS a dissident crushing monster.
Blocking iTunes is one of the least significant problems you should have with China.
chinese underage gymnasts… accusation without any proof, and people still believe that… which is called brain wash…
an interview of those girls were broadcasted 5 years ago while they were in early teens, and they look exactly like what they look today…
chinese government blocks itune, what a big deal! At least they are not accusing people for no reason.
As for the medias… only people brainwashed by them believes what they say…
As for the Tibet issue… I ve got one thing to say… open your eyes and seek the truth…
@oye: I couldn’t agree more.
This is nothing more than a PR stunt by International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) and Art of Peace Foundation. The album was put on the front page of iTune store on the opening day of the Beijing Olympic Games. It would be interesting to find out how much copies have been sold so far. Unfortunately, the Chinese government took the bait and made it a headline.
Note that AP casually left out the fact that these 40 Olympians were offered to download the $11.99 album for free (http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article4579783.ece). So not only “free Tibet” is trendy, it is now also free. What’s not to like?
So much for “an act of solidarity” as declared by the executive director of Art of Peace Foundation.