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Microsoft Bans 'Democracy' for China's Web Users

Posted by timothy on from the not-merely-chinese-but-china's dept.

Doc Ruby writes "As reported, paradoxically, on MSN, 'Microsoft's new Chinese internet portal has banned the words 'democracy' and 'freedom' from parts of its website in an apparent effort to avoid offending Beijing's political censors.' MSN China says it must comply with local laws, but there is no Chinese law against the use of these words."

19 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. So... Does that mean we can invade Microsoft now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    cuz they must be hating freedum and stuff...

  2. Seen on a chinese website... by guyfromindia · · Score: 5, Funny

    C2lick her3e for our dailey s1pecial on d3mocrazy!

  3. Re:So... Does that mean we can invade Microsoft no by geekee · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Does that mean we can invade Microsoft now, cuz they must be hating freedum and stuff..."

    That would be consistent with the Bush administration policies, i.e. invade Microsoft even though China is the real threat to democracy and freedom.

    --
    Vote for Pedro
  4. Next thing you know... by bryan8m · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...Microsoft will ban the word "monopoly"

    1. Re:Next thing you know... by lilmouse · · Score: 2, Funny

      Oh, that words's already been patented - you're not allowed to use it!

      --LWM

    2. Re:Next thing you know... by zerus · · Score: 2, Funny

      " Oh, that words's already been patented - you're not allowed to use it!"

      I believe it's a registered trademark of Parker Brothers and not a patent ;-) I don't mean to nitpick

  5. In other news... by ravenspear · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft agreed to ban "innovation" from its international search portal to filter any potential self referential promotions that might run afoul of stricter false advertising laws in other countries.

  6. Re:Democracy is Eurocentric idea. by kentmartin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Can't one place be free of McDonalds, MTV, Democracy and Coca-Cola?

    Apparently not. I was in the Forbidden City in Beijing a few months ago. Bearing in mind that, after The Great Wall, it would have to be the most famous historical site in the entirety of China. What do you think is smack in the middle? A Starbucks.

    I wish this post was a joke, but, I am very sorry to say, it isn't.

    Ah - just noticed that wikipedia article above mentions it is there too, so I wasn't just seeing things.

  7. Re:1, 2, 3, 4 by Quantam · · Score: 2, Funny

    STOP IT! All that's left of that horse is a half-dozen bloody ribs!

    --
    You have tried to support your argument with faulty reasoning! Go directly to jail; do not pass Go, do not collect $200!
  8. Re:Democracy is Eurocentric idea. by BandwidthHog · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can't one place be free of McDonalds, MTV, Democracy and Coca-Cola?

    One of these things is not like the other.

    Idiot.

    --

    Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
  9. Re:1, 2, 3, 4 by BandwidthHog · · Score: 3, Funny

    You must be new here. Eventually they'll tan the hide and hold a drum circle.

    --

    Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
  10. Re:So... Does that mean we can invade Microsoft no by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Funny
    In Soviet Russia, Freedom and Democracy ban Political Censors.

    wait a second...

    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
  11. New York City's Freedom Tower??? by NXprime · · Score: 2, Funny

    So what will they call our soon to be built, Freedom Tower in NYC? :) The F****** Tower? [Note: Think of a colorful medaphor that fills the missing letters :)]

  12. Yeah and here is the actuall Dialog.... by tetrahedrassface · · Score: 3, Funny
    Microsoft: we like money...

    China: we like money....

    Microsoft: pay me....

    China: we can get it for free...

    Microsoft: WE can ensure your communist rule by limiting freedom.

    China: wha? freedom? There is no freedom... only work!

    Microsoft: Let us show you the way..

    China: Deal!


    D

  13. Re:Just a sneaky way to censor... by poopdeville · · Score: 3, Funny
    Interesting... minutes after visiting that page I got this e-mail from "james.bruns@fbi.gov":
    Dear Sir(s) or Madame(s)

    It has recently come to our attention that someone in your household or corporation has recently visited http://www.korea-dpr.com/. Due to this minor infraction, your constitutional rights have been suspended. Moreover, your children will be deported to Guantanamo Bay for interrogation and re-education.

    I am not speaking for the agency when I say that I think you are a disgusting excuse for a human being. Your lack of respect for our fundamental freedoms is appalling and you deserve everything you'll get. Thousands of American boys have died protecting your freedom from despots like Saddam Hussein, and you just throw it away. You make me sick.

    --
    After all, I am strangely colored.
  14. In Soviet Russia... by Metostopholes · · Score: 4, Funny

    You also couldn't talk about "freedom" and "democracy."

    Oh wait, the joke doesn't work like that, does it?

    --
    "With rare exceptions people cannot use that picture to masturbate, therefore it is not the internet."
  15. Google by minus_273 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Keep in mind, when google pulls a stunt like this, its ok.

    --
    The war with islam is a war on the beast
    The war on terror is a war for peace
  16. Re:In Communist China... by daniil · · Score: 2, Funny

    A true story: someone in Russia discovered that if you type the sentence "Legal capacity is a person's capacity to exercise rights and fulfil obligations" (in Russian) in MS Word with Russian spellchecking turned on, Word will immediately exit. It's probably just a bug, though, not a deal between Microsoft and the Russian government.

    --
    Man is a slave because freedom is difficult, whereas slavery is easy.
  17. Re:of religion and self-censorship by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ask your mom, kid. Then ask her where you got your eyes.

    --

    --
    make install -not war