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Microsoft China blocks words ‘democracy’, ‘freedom’

Daylene   on 14 June 2005 - 14:10 · 64 comments & 15955 views

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The users of Microsoft's new China-based internet portal were recently blocked from using the words ‘democracy’, ‘freedom’ and ‘human rights’ in a move by the software giant to please Beijing.Other words that are not permitted on Microsoft China's free online blog service, MSN Spaces, include: ‘Taiwan independence’ and ‘demonstration’.

If a user attempts to post one of these words in his blog, he would recieve the following message: "this item should not contain forbidden speech such as profanity. Please enter a different word for this item".

Microsoft has already been critisized for working with the Chinese government in an attempt to censor the internet.

View: MSN China homepage

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#1 Rob on 14 Jun 2005 - 14:45
This isn't Microsoft's fault. They have to abide by the government's rules, it's not an optional thing. At least this way, you get a handy Microsoft hint telling you that what you've written isn't permissable, rather than the Chinese government blocking access to MSN throughout the country.

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