Google's search and email services are being blocked by the Chinese government in the run-up to the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, according to a leading censorship watchdog.
Greatfire.org reports that the China's firewall, which filters all internet access on the mainland, began blocking Google last week.
According to the South China Morning Post, "servers could not access Google.com, Google.com.hk, or Gmail in Beijing, Shenzhen, Inner Mongolia or Heilongjiang" yesterday morning. Google said that disruption began on Friday, and a spokesman for the company told Reuters: "We've checked extensively and there's definitely nothing wrong at our end."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chinese officials have stepped up security both online and on the streets to prevent any repeat of the pro-democracy demonstrations that took place 25 years ago this week. A military crackdown on June 4 1989 resulted in hundreds or even thousands of deaths.
The Chinese government routinely censors the internet and restrictions are usually ratcheted up each June as the anniversary of the protests approaches, though Google has not been blocked to this extent since a 12-hour total ban in 2012.
"It's not clear if the block is temporary or permanent," says Greatfire.org, "but because the block has lasted for four days it's likely Google services will be severely disrupted and barely usable from now on."
Greatfire.org founder Charlie Smith described the latest block as more "devious" than that of 2012, when access was blocked entirely. "This time," he said, "only 90 per cent of Google is blocked so users think there's a problem with their computer or Google itself, when instead it's censorship."
Sina Weibo, China's largest social media platform, has been censoring "Tiananmen" and "25 years ago" for the past two weeks, according to the South China Morning Post.
-
15 dank Gen Z dating phrasesIn Depth Knowing these neologisms can help anyone navigate the extremely online world of youth romance culture
-
What will William be like as king?Today's Big Question Prince of Wales said he won’t be ‘restricted’ by history when he takes the throne
-
Quiz of The Week: 27 September – 3 OctoberQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
