Access blocked to Chinese users.

The Chinese government has a history of blocking websites that are deemed sensitive but is iTunes a hotbed of anti-Chinese propaganda?

The reason behind the Chinese decision was the availability of a pro-Tibet album which has become a hit on the online music store.

Over the past week, many Chinese users have been unable to access iTunes although Apple’s Beijing-based spokeswoman Huang Yuna said she did not know why music fans were unable to log on.

“We’ve noticed the problem. It’s true that users may fail to log in to iTunes store right now,” she told AFP.

Investigations are still ongoing.

The restrictions started after a pro-Tibet album, “Songs for Tibet”, was launched on iTunes on August 8. The album soon become a hugely popular download all around. It seems the albums review page became the epicentre of a huge pie slinging contest between pro-Tibet web users and Chinese nationalists. The page registered over 400 posts before it was eventually taken down by Apple. Amongst the less complimentary comments was this blinder: “The Tibetan culture has been massacred by the oppressive Chinese government.” Rumours suggest that the review page comments were the reason the site was blocked in China.

Historical note: China has ruled Tibet since 1951, a year after sending troops in to “liberate” it - I’m not entirely sure what they needed to liberated from. Facist Yetis, maybe?

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