Microsoft Blocks Words To Appease Red China

[jmiller]

Reportedly, Microsoft has been self-censoring certain words on the Chinese version of MSN in order not to offend the communist Chinese government.
Words like “democracy” and “freedom,” demonstration,” “democratic movement,” and Taiwan independence,” have all been stricken from the website, deemed “anti-communist.”

China has been under Internet-big-brother criticism since the government announced that all websites must be registered with the state by July or face termination (of the site, not the owner). That Microsoft is cooperating with the censorship has raised some eyebrows.

According CNET News, an error message appears whenever a person types in one of these words into the search terms.

The message reads as follows:
"This item contains forbidden speech. Please delete the forbidden speech from this item.”

Microsoft, which partnered with state-owned Shanghai Alliance Investment to extend its offerings to the Chinese market, said the regulations only affected the main site, not MSN Spaces.

In an email, Microsoft issued a statement saying,” The content posted on member spaces is the responsibility of individuals who are required to abide by MSN's Code of Conduct, which can be viewed (here). MSN abides by the laws and regulations of each country in which it operates."