China blocks 'Egypt' from Sina, Sohu and Tencent

[TLSS_N]

China has blocked all searches for the Chinese word for "Egypt" on microblogging sites Sina, Tencent and Sohu, limiting the public's knowledge of the unrest occurring right now in the nation.

In response, Sina said (via PCW): "In accordance with the relevant laws, regulations and policies, the search result did not display."

The English word "Egypt," however, is still searchable.

Severe political unrest has hit the nation over the past week, with thousands of protesters rioting in the streets and demanding that President Hosni Mubarak be removed from power.

The Egyptian government shut down the Internet in the country, in an effort to stop protesters from organizing efficiently.

Mubarak's government also ordered the suspension of operations of Al Jazeera, while canceling the network's licenses. Al Jazeera was one of few broadcasters to get video of Cairo after the riots.

Sina, Tencent and Sohu have a total of 63 million users.

source via afterdawn.

what are they afraid of? /sarcasm

 

[cwstjdenobs]

Hardly unexpected, but rather later than I thought. Can't work out why they aren't blocking the English word though.

 

[monkat]

what are they afraid of? /sarcasm

The Chinese people holding a revolt like the Egyptians did?

 

[GundamXXX]

Atleast they didnt pull the plug yet like Egypt lol

 

[TLSS_N]

what are they afraid of? /sarcasm

The Chinese people holding a revolt like the Egyptians did?

you know, that could be it. but then again, it could be there afraid of the people? yea, I am sure there scared out of there minds.

 

[TLSS_N]

Atleast they didnt pull the plug yet like Egypt lol

I doubt they would do that, giving how addicted the chinese are to the internet, that would be a bad move on there part.

 

[RupeeClock]

China censor anything on the internet that is critical of their own government.
By extension, the news of a revolt in Egypt is probably not something they want the Chinese public to be aware of, just so they don't get any ideas...

 

[GundamXXX]

Atleast they didnt pull the plug yet like Egypt lol

I doubt they would do that, giving how addicted the chinese are to the internet, that would be a bad move on there part.

Do you have any idea how addicted the Egyptians are lol?

 

[TLSS_N]

Atleast they didnt pull the plug yet like Egypt lol

I doubt they would do that, giving how addicted the chinese are to the internet, that would be a bad move on there part.

Do you have any idea how addicted the Egyptians are lol?

just as, if not more addicted

 

[Sausage Head]

bad regime joins bad regime's side.

That's new.

 

[tijntje_7]

Do you guys think there might be a great world war III coming up?
With this shit going on at egypt ;_;

I don't hope so :/
Stupid politics ._.

 

[CarbonX13]

Interesting aspect is, however, that they didn't block it off in Baidu, which probably should've been the first to go off if internet censorship was exercised on an event. Baidu (China's Google), as well as Youku and Tudou (essentially China's YouTube) all seem to not take effect from this.