Phone apps based on the teachings of the Dalai Lama don't exist on the Chinese incarnation of iTunes, it has emerged, demonstrating that even Apple has to bend to do business in China.
Protects Great firewall of China from 'devil'
Given the Chinese government's rejection of the Dalai Lama's authority it's no surprise that his only appearance in the Chinese iTunes store is a passing mention in the Buddhist Glossary. In the UK store there are half a dozen apps presenting his quotes and teachings, but it's hard to imagine an Al Qaeda application lasting long over here given our own government's thoughts on radicalisation.
Apple ejects Dalai Lama from Chinese iTunes
Posted on Wednesday December 30, 2009
3 comments
Comparing the Dalai Lama with Al Qaeda might seem insane, but while we might view the Lama as an intelligent and rather amiable chap with a reasonable argument, the Chinese government has very different ideas.In covering the lack of Lama applications PC World quotes (http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20091230/tc_pcworld/applecensorsdalailamaiphoneappsinchina) the Chinese government's opinion of him as a "devil with a human face". Cupertino is obliged to follow local laws if it wants to do business locally (and everyone wants to do business in China) and that means Apples and devils remain segregated.
The approval process for iPhone applications is notoriously secretive, and Apple recently dropped one application for not having enough naked flesh (OK - it was called "Tits and Boobies" and consisted of photographs of birds, which is funny, but cheating, so it's been removed (http://gizmodo.com/5436566/apple-called-to-say-why-they-removed-my-titsboobies-and-pussy-lovers-iphone-apps?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29) along with its companion "Pussy Lovers").
Refusing applications for political reasons might seem overly compliant, but it's not Apple's fault the Chinese don't like the Dalai Lama.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/30/apple_china/print.html
3 Comments
mlungo - January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 PM
"an intelligent and rather amiable chap with a reasonable argument"? understatement of the century. i hope this is just cheeky dry humor and not as ignorant as it sounds.
John Roberts - January 8th, 2010 at 7:13 PM
This is yet more evidence that the Internet -- and its executive leaders -- will not free China or Tibet. Instead, the Internet in China has been harnessed as a tool of State repression. Only grassroots action by ordinary consumers to boycott Chinese-made products can put pressure on China's regime. It depends on exports to the US and Eurozone. If we stop buying, they will notice the pressure -- fast. To read more about how the "Netizens" have let down the Chinese democracy movement and Tibet, read our book "Freeing Tibet: 50 Years of Struggle, Resilience, and Hope" and read our blog at www.FreeingTibet.com for how to fight back against China!
Scythian Empire - January 19th, 2010 at 10:57 AM
let China's government be afraid. When the fear lets go of them, they will understand. I don't know when it will happen, but it will. They have a good reason to be frightened. The rest of us are capitalists, and they grew up being told that we hate them. Seeing red republics fall by scores. If they start conceeding to every demand of the west, when will it stop?(so the thinking goes of someone who is not quite sure of their own power) We don't hate them, they're just a little sick in the head. A little frightened by things as they are.
Leave a Comment
Search
Recent Posts
Categories
no categories