Filed under: iTS
China blocks iTunes access, Tibet album suspected
The government of China has blocked access to the entirety of the iTunes store, and the publishers of a single new Tibet-themed album are claiming responsibility.
The album, Songs for Tibet [iTunes link], is a compilation of music by Sting, Alanis Morissette, Garbage and others, plus a 15-minute lecture by the Dalai Lama. The album is being released by the New York City-based Art of Peace Foundation, whose spokesman Michael Wohl said he believed the album was responsible for the outage, but couldn't prove it.
Wohl said the foundation issued a press release claiming 40 Olympic athletes downloaded the album as a display of solidarity, which he suspects triggered the shutdown.
Apple acknowledged that they are "aware of the log-on problems," but wouldn't say how many customers were affected nor comment further. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which regulates Internet use in China, did not comment either.
[Via the Associated Press.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kento said 2:15PM on 8-22-2008
there goes the release of iPhone in China.
Now Apple is REALLY mad with China.
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doug said 1:42AM on 8-24-2008
It will be interesting to see how Apple responds to this situation considering Steve Jobs worshipped George Harrison who was a big supporter of Tibet. Of course, all the Apple hardware flows out of China, so i will not hold my breath. BTW, I just love "Ministry of Industry and Information Technology", that is so 1984. The Chinese government is a bunch of retards.
Luigi193 said 2:29PM on 8-22-2008
WOOO, rush...
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tv junkie said 2:34PM on 8-22-2008
oh jesus, the commies sucks, overreacting to a single album and all... but the chinese don't have a itunes store anyway, so why do they care.
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Robert Palmer said 2:36PM on 8-22-2008
They seem to, though: They're in the drop-down at the bottom of the iTunes store. Right now it just contains Apps for iPhone/iPod touch, but I don't know if that's normal or just because of this action.
tim said 2:36PM on 8-22-2008
It's so great that the world gave the Olympics to that country. 2020, Sudan, anyone?
And before anyone says I am bashing the people, no, the country. The Chinese people seem to be one of the best parts of the Olympics this year.
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Bassir said 2:49PM on 8-22-2008
I really hate China.
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Michael said 3:00PM on 8-22-2008
Being of Chinese descent, I am ashamed of the mother country. The iTunes blockage is just one of many things they have done. Did you hear about the two elderly ladies they arrested and punished with "re-education" for demonstrating?
They are so full of themselves.
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phytonix said 9:20PM on 8-22-2008
Seriously, if you consider yourself Chinese descendent, you should not listen to any Western mainstream media when they talk about China. I feel sad for you, because you judge China based on what China haters say about China.
jasonh said 3:25PM on 8-22-2008
Good thing I'm using Cisco VPN access, so I can circumvent this retarded-ness. If you have an iPhone in China, how would you even be able to activate it now?
The funny thing is that the iPhone is sold in Hong Kong (unlocked), and many Hong Kong Chinese travel to China. If they need a restore on the way, they're going to hope they have access to VPN.
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yh said 3:39PM on 8-22-2008
Every chinese person outside of china should be proud of where they came from and glad that they're not there anymore. Personally, I am very glad that my parents decided to leave china for the US. The Chinese government is making a mockery of themselves, and the problem is no one is going to call them on it because they control so much of the world market.
Back to the topic... the songs are actually pretty good if you're into pop/alt rock stuff, not to mention the itunes purchases are DRM free and 256kbps. I bought Hide and Seek 2 by Imogen Heap, and its definitely a different and cool take on the song.
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arbert said 5:19PM on 8-22-2008
i think most people are buying that album for Imogen Heap
mark said 4:23PM on 8-22-2008
Let's nuke 'em and get this over with. What do you say Georgie Porgie? It'll make your da da extra proud of you.
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Robert Palmer said 4:27PM on 8-22-2008
Wow, and I thought the Chinese government was overreacting.
compuguy1088 said 10:57PM on 8-24-2008
I would doubt that ever happening. Haven't you heard of the term MAD?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction
Felix H said 4:39PM on 8-22-2008
Chinese government is just too overreacting on this issue.
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JAx2000 said 5:17PM on 8-22-2008
Let's see what Apple is made of. Since they make most of their stuff in China now, will they cave and open a Chinese Propaganda Only iTunes Store or stand up for Tibetans.
Free Tibet!
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John said 6:12PM on 8-22-2008
The Tibetan issue is overrated. Their situation is no worse than the rest of Chinese people. With the economical development and the establishment of a strong middle class in China, China will inevitably become democratic. When that day comes, Dalai Lama will return and Tibet will be a non issue anymore.
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phytonix said 9:15PM on 8-22-2008
I just read this AP report, and they mentioned macfans.com.cn. If you read Chinese and go there, you will see what AP reported is totally the opposite of reality. Not the first time, will not be the last time. Judging China based on what you read from mainstream media is more than dumb, it's called brainwashed.
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Robert Palmer said 9:30PM on 8-22-2008
For those of us that don't speak or read Chinese, can you summarize for us what they're saying is happening?