Microsoft censors Chinese blogger (in US)

[phrenzy]

Pathetic.

The blog, written by Zhao Jing, also known as Michael Anti, was removed from MSN servers on Dec. 31, according to investigative journalist and former CNN reporter Rebecca Mackinnon. She claimed that the blog was actively removed by MSN staff rather than being blocked by Chinese authorities.

A Microsoft representative told ZDNet UK on Wednesday that it blocked Anti's MSN Space blog to help ensure that the service complied with local laws in China.

"MSN is committed to ensuring that products and services comply with global and local laws, norms and industry practices. Most countries have laws and practices that require companies providing online services to make the Internet safe for local users. Occasionally, as in China, local laws and practices require consideration of unique elements," the representative said.


http://news.com.com/Microsoft+censors+Chinese+blogger/2100-1028_3-6017540.html?tag=nefd.top#talkback

[InsultComicDog]

1. That blows but...

...there are other places to blog...

[Deja Q]

2. "global laws"? Yeah, right. Gates is masturbating China. What else is new?

Gates has his hand in Jiang Zemin's crotch. Right down to the offshoring of jobs. He knows China is more valuable than the US. And Gates is renowned for his (predatory) business practices.

[Mithras61]

3. Do you suppose that Micro$oft...

is pursuing its own business interests? After all, some of the most rampant piracy of M$' products occurs in China (at least according to the BSA - and I don't mean the Boy Scouts). I'd bet Gates & Co. are stroking Mr. Jiang with the aim of encouraging a crackdown on said piracy...

[dethl]

4. if M$ was censoring my friends...

It would be more incentive for me to pirate to hurt their bottom line.

[Mithras61]

5. Yes, but M$ isn't censoring the FRIENDS of the Chinese Gov't...

they are censoring the people the Chinese gov't wants censored. Since the Chinese gov't would be the moving force behind a crackdown in China, that makes this an activity in M$' business interests, doesn't it?

Don't misunderstand me... I don't feel that censorship is right, or that M$ is believable (in fact they are often barely useable). I'm just observing WHY they are doing it.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Microsoft Shuts Blog's Site After Complaints by Beijing

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/06/technology/06blog.html

By DAVID BARBOZA and TOM ZELLER Jr.

BEIJING, Jan. 5 - Microsoft has shut the blog site of a well-known Chinese blogger who uses its MSN online service in China after he discussed a high-profile newspaper strike that broke out here one week ago. The decision is the latest in a series of measures in which some of America's biggest technology companies have cooperated with the Chinese authorities to censor Web sites and curb dissent or free speech online as they seek access to China's booming Internet marketplace.

Microsoft drew criticism last summer when it was discovered that its blog tool in China was designed to filter words like "democracy" and "human rights" from blog titles. The company said Thursday that it must "comply with global and local laws."

...

The move by Microsoft comes at a time when the Chinese government is stepping up its own efforts to crack down on press freedom. Several prominent editors and journalists have been jailed in China over the last few years and charged with everything from espionage to revealing state secrets.

...

The shutdown of Mr. Zhao's site drew attention and condemnation this week elsewhere online. Rebecca MacKinnon, a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School, wrote on her blog, referring to Microsoft and other technology companies: "Can we be sure they won't do the same thing in response to potentially illegal demands by an overzealous government agency in our own country?"

... more ...

[OKthatsIT]

7. force MS to GET OUT OF CHINA

Start a boycott.

Promise to never buy another upgrade, especially 'Vista' OS.