According to complaints posted on Apple’s support forum, users in China have been blocked from accessing iTunes. Complaints began to appear on the site earlier this week, with posts indicating the issues started on Monday.
I am in Shanghai and have been able to use iTunes for 3 years now with no problems, but for the past two days I get an immediate message that the “network connection was reset”. I have tried the usual trouble shooting with updating software, unplugging, restarting, pirouetting etc… Have contacted friends in Shanghai and they are not able to access it either. Can anyone find out if it is being blocked and how long it will be gone? Thanks for any insight….
And another post:
Dear Apple Team,since a few days ago, I am not able anymore to connect the iTunes Store Germany. I have to say that I living in China. I get always the Message: Connection Error (-4) even with my MacBook Pro, MacMini, MacBook Air or with my IPhone.
If I am outside of China my iTunes Store is working. I tried also to use a Proxy server when I am in China and it works too.
Plenty more where those came from. The fact that users indicate it will work for them on the same computer if they are outside of “The Great Firewall of China” or use a proxy server are particularly telling.
Note that China does not have its own iTunes store; users have to visit stores in other countries.
The first poster above received the following from Apple, which typically is rather tight-lipped about the issue.
ITunes is not being blocked in China from our end, but access to the iTunes Store IS restricted in some areas in China. This would also explain why it’s happening to your friends there as well.I would advise that you contact your ISP about this matter. Please also note though that accessing the US iTunes Store outside of the geographic region of the United States is not supported, and that attempting to access it while in China is at your own risk.
Confirmation that it’s not Apple blocking access, at least. The theory is that the blocking is over the recently posted album, Songs for Tibet–The Art of Peace. This album was put forth by the Art of Peace Foundation. According to the nonprofit’s Web site,
The Art of Peace Foundation is dedicated to achieving the Dalai Lama’s vision of creating peace within our selves and in the world. His message is as simple as it is profound — by cultivating inner peace, our actions in the world generate happiness and peace in others.
I’d be stunned if that site wasn’t blocked as well. The album includes music from such artists as Moby, Ben Harper, John Mayer, Sting, Alanis Morissette, and Dave Matthews.
The Foundation itself acknowledged that China might try to block access to the album in an August 7th press release:
In the face of this situation, we offered the athletes a solution in the form of a free download of the album “Songs for Tibet - The Art of Peace ” and a suggestion to wear a MP3 Player during the games as a symbol of freedom of expression. Wearing a MP3 Player, a simple icon of personal freedom, provides Olympic athletes with an acceptable way to protest these conditions. We began contacting athletes as soon as the album was done. We knew once the athletes were in Beijing, The Great Firewall of China’ might prevent accessibility to downloads.
Earlier this week the Foundation issued a press release noting that more than 40 Olympians had downloaded the album. Michael Wohl, Executive Director of the Art of Peace Foundation, told AP he believes that blocking was initiated after that press release.
As a side note: only 40? Considering the number of athletes at the Games, that’s actually a pretty poor response to an important issue.
