Great Firewall of China blocks iTunes

IDG News Service — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:13:21 -0700

China's internet police have blocked access to Apple's iTunes Store - because the music store offered an album in support of those seeking freedom for Tibet.

The Songs for Tibet album was produced by a group called The Art of Peace Foundation and featured 20 tracks from a range of artists, including Moby and Alanis Morissette.

It was released as a download on the iTunes Store on August 5 - three days before the start of the Olympics - with the physical CD launched on Tuesday this week. What's apparently angered China is that athletes in the Olympic village have been downloading the music to play on their iPods in support of the campaign to Free Tibet.

Funds raised are being used to support "peace-related projects that are dear to the Dalai Lama," the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

China's move to block iTunes emerged earlier this week, when foreign nationals attempting to access their account found they could not reach the website.

An Apple tech support email is alleged to say: "iTunes is not being blocked in China from our end, but access to the iTunes Store IS restricted in some areas in China."

The note also advises that attempting to access iTunes from China is at a users "own risk."

Despite the Chinese authorities resistance to the campaign, the Songs For Tibet album was at one point the top-selling rock download on iTunes across the world, prompting executive director of the Art of Peace Foundation, Michael Wohl to remark: "This album sends a clear statement to Tibet and the Dalai Lama that the world is with them and supports their dreams for fundamental human rights and autonomy."