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Reddit Blocked In China (qz.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Quartz: Many Reddit users in China who tried to access the social network this weekend were slightly annoyed to find the company's site and app weren't working. But in China, it's second nature for internet users to turn on their VPNs, and in almost no time at all, they were surfing the "front page of the internet" again. According to users' posts, the crackdown appeared to have started on Friday (Aug. 10). By today (Aug. 13), more people said they were able to access Reddit again. Many, however, report that Reddit remains behind the Great Firewall for them. Comparitech, a tool that checks if a domain is blocked in China, continues to show that reddit.com is not accessible via regular internet access, but reachable over VPN. It's unclear if geography is a factor for why some people are and aren't able to access the site.

68 comments

  1. China needs to execute people to enforce rule by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They need to put seventeen people in front of the firing squad to demonstrate that the rules must be followed. Otherwise, they are toothless.

  2. this is good by MJhasHIV · · Score: 1, Funny

    for China.

  3. Enjoying too much freedom again? by AHuxley · · Score: 0

    Tibet?
    Taiwan?
    A cartoon about a talking bear?
    Tiananmen square?
    Bureaucratic profiteering?
    June 4?

    Enjoying that internet sovereignty on social media?

    --
    Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
    1. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1, Troll

      Tibet? Taiwan? A cartoon about a talking bear?... ...Enjoying that internet sovereignty on social media?

      The scary thing is; they have more population that the US and Western Europe combined- their economy is growing rapidly. Their political system whereas as not very citizen-friendly, allows them to maneuver in ways democracies can not. They have many advantages that countries that care about their citizens do not.

      100 years from now, China is the most powerful nation on earth... as the dominant nation on earth- how much of their culture, government, censorship and way of life will rub off on the rest of the world. America, for all it's evils, being a democracy and the major world power for the last 100 years has helped spread democracy to countries that want to emulate them or aspire to be them. It has had many positive influences on the world. (yeah, we know the bad things it has done too).

      100 years from now, when China has had a number of decades as the most influential country... how will the world look. Will centralized authoritarian communistic-capitalism spread to nations. Survival of the fittest, will governments have to suppress the common man more in order to advance their nations and compete?

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    2. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Everyone who has bothered to look at the data knows their economy is completely misrepresented.

      If they are the dominant force who will they copy from?

      China is just the new asian menace like Japan was in the 80s / 90s. Where are they now?

    3. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      Tibet?

      I've been trying to claim my free Tibet for years now but they ain't sending it. Pretty sure it's a bait'n'switch.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    4. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      100 years from now, when China has had a number of decades as the most influential country... how will the world look.

      China will never get there. Emperor forever will make sure of it.

    5. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      If they are the dominant force who will they copy from?

      Why would they need to copy from anyone? They can make their own stuff once they overtake us. Our companies will probably be stealing IP from them 100 years from now. They're already publishing more scientific papers than we are and making more discoveries than we are.

      China is just the new asian menace like Japan was in the 80s / 90s. Where are they now?

      Other than being Asian there is very little similarity between China and Japan. Very different politically, culturally, and economically. Japan, despite having only a little over 120 million people are the third largest economy in the world (only behind the US and China) that's where they are now.

      China has 10 times the population of Japan- if they reach the same per-capita wealth as Japan they would easily dwarf the US.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    6. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How many countries did China bomb last year? Was it more than America?

      Gosh, China didn't bomb anyone. *awkward* Tell me again why we want America as world bully?

      It is supremely idiotic to believe America is some shining beacon of free speech, women's rights, and religious tolerance.
      I can see the anger in foreign nations at being policed by America. At being bullied and pushed to bend to their will. Who is the main aggressor in the last 50 years? Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan.

    7. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by xvan · · Score: 1

      Will centralized authoritarian communistic-capitalism spread to nations

      We still don't know if it's sustainable. You can never conform people, they always want more. Eventually, the living standards of the average Chinese should be so high that they will start claiming ether more money or more freedom that the system can provide.

    8. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      Will centralized authoritarian communistic-capitalism spread to nations

      We still don't know if it's sustainable. You can never conform people, they always want more. Eventually, the living standards of the average Chinese should be so high that they will start claiming ether more money or more freedom that the system can provide.

      It has lasted more than 20 years now in it's current freer form. Barely slowing down yet. Without modern technology they couldn't keep the people subjugated but modern technology makes it so much easier to squish the common man.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    9. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by xvan · · Score: 1

      Without modern technology they couldn't keep the people subjugated but modern technology makes it so much easier to squish the common man.

      20 years is not even a generation in the life of an empire, All that technology to squish the common man is there trying restrict the information flow that wouldn't otherwise be available without the technology on the first place. Censorship, so far, has always been a step behind.

    10. Re:Enjoying too much freedom again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your speculation is just that unless you can access an alternative universe and list the wars and devastation or even standard of world freedom that the world would have experienced had Germany, Imperial Japan, or the Soviet Union had been the dominant cultures being "the world bully" or "bend to their will".

  4. Re:makes sense by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

    Reddit is full of pictures of big white dicks and big black dicks. Probably makes all their women feel horny for western cock and their men feel inadequate.

    We must browse different subreddits. I've never seen one on reddit.

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
  5. Insert significant quote here by tttonyyy · · Score: 1

    "I think really, China, Chinese, I think they really have a long history of civilization, rich culture, and cat memes." -- Dalai Lama

    Possibly not quite word for word.

    --
    biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
  6. What was it this time? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Winnie the Pooh? Xi Jinping's erectile problems? Ooops. Now slashdot's out too!

  7. Reddit is self censoring anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Any criticism of any major religion like Islam or Christianity, but particularly Islam, gets you an instant ban. It's a cesspit of safe space mentality

    1. Re:Reddit is self censoring anyway by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      Any criticism of any major religion like Islam or Christianity, but particularly Islam, gets you an instant ban. It's a cesspit of safe space mentality

      There are other places on the web that are not "safe-place mentality" but for some reason most people avoid them. It's almost like most people don't want to be in a constant slinging match of bigotry and hatred. 4Chan is pretty popular if you want total freedom to post any view you like- if you don't want to be censored posting hate speech- go there.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    2. Re:Reddit is self censoring anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Reddit is not as monolithic as you seem to think, every sub-reddit has it's own moderators. Admittedly, some are quick to censor and ban(from their sub) and there are others that do almost nothing except maybe filter some spam.

    3. Re:Reddit is self censoring anyway by ArchieBunker · · Score: 1

      The place is a giant circle jerk. I get banned from the leftist groups for pointing out sensationalist headlines. The ban lasts four days and you're even muted from messaging moderators. They'd rather mute people than let moderation work. It's going to implode eventually.

      --
      Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
    4. Re: Reddit is self censoring anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I assume the more propaganda-heavy sub-reddits are run by globalist stooges, like mediamatters and correct the record. These guys outright delete anything that might make people question the narrative, like when that muslim-run school-shooter training group was discovered. Subs like:

      News
      Worldnews
      Politicalhumor
      The_mueller

      And somehow, the batshit crazy commie posts from latestagecapitalism sometimes makes it as a floater, stinking up /r/all.

  8. And Google can't wait to get access to China! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't be MERELY evil!

  9. Now if we could only get it blocked... by mark_reh · · Score: 0

    ...here. Reddit is a sewer.

    1. Re:Now if we could only get it blocked... by houghi · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You know how I block site that I do not like? By complaining. Oh wait, no. By not going there.
      Yet I understand that there are people behind you with a gun to your head that force you to go there.

      Unfortunately I will not be able to call the police and talk about a hostage situation. That went horrible the last time people did that.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    2. Re: Now if we could only get it blocked... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How can i block it from google search results other than move to china?

    3. Re: Now if we could only get it blocked... by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      How can i block it from google search results other than move to china?

      You can block any website you like from your personal google search results. Google "Personal Website Blocklist"

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    4. Re: Now if we could only get it blocked... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How can i block it from google search results other than move to china?

      -site:reddit.com

  10. Re:Eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Leftism plus virtue signalling. If you are a mixed race vegan amputee couple with a cute dog and a kid with cerebral palsy you are Reddit royalty.

  11. Now that they know by bobstreo · · Score: 3, Interesting

    the Streisand effect will probably kick in, and it will become more popular in China.

    Reddit as a whole has a lot of resources, and smart (often helpful) people, covering pretty much every subject you can think of (that hasn't been banned)

    Reddit management and moderators of a lot of the main subreddits seem to have been engaging in censorship of ideologies and information they don't approve of. Much like China.

    1. Re:Now that they know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >Streisand effect
      Getting tired of people running around to yell this. Reddit was never a discreet item to begin with.

      Ironically, if something obscure (which is different than something trying to hide) becomes more popular due to a headline we once called that the Slashdot Effect, particularly when the impact flooded a small server.

      Not that Reddit was ever obscure.

    2. Re:Now that they know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >> Streisand effect
      > Getting tired of people running around to yell this. Reddit was never a discreet item to begin with.

      Neither was Barbara Streisand. You know she was in Yentl don't you? Totally not obscure...

      (I only know this because of Deadpool)
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwCPAo5e_F8

  12. Re: Eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    /r/thr_donald is sooo far left. /s

    That said, fuck the right.

  13. Re:Eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I just assumed somebody posted a picture of Winnie the Pooh on there. Can't have that.

  14. Honestly? by argStyopa · · Score: 1

    Have you been on reddit lately?

    It's probably doing the people of China a favor, letting them become better human beings than to wade through that internet-swill. It makes Fark look sober by comparison.

    --
    -Styopa
    1. Re:Honestly? by iggymanz · · Score: 2

      Your hilarious, posting that on *Slashdot*

      Reddit has many worthy "subreddits" for various news, discussions, hobbies.

      Sure, some of them are garbage. It's like a mall with many restaurants, many of them fine but yes there are dumpsters out back for those that want to feed there.

      Hmmm, maybe your the type who is drawn to the dumpster and only sees the dumpsters? Bon appetit!

    2. Re:Honestly? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Your hilarious, posting that on *Slashdot*

      His hilarious what?

      I just checked with Comparitech and they say my poky little vanity website is blocked in China. I may have to make a logo regarding that for my site, so I can wear it with pride.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Honestly? by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      "Your" is brought to you by the magic of Android autocorrect. There are nice and informative subreddits for Android on reddit too.

    4. Re:Honestly? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Given the size of Reddit, that's a large ass mall with maybe a handful of decent restaurants.

      And on the way to your decent restaurant, you're bombarded with shit left and right like "political humor", puns, and other low hanging fruit.

      Reddit sucks -- has for years; was going downhill even before to Digg people came. Was pretty good ~10 years ago though.

    5. Re:Honestly? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's amazing anybody goes to any websites, it doesn't seem to matter which one you mention somebody comes out and says it's trash. It's like people need to feel cool by saying something is shit.

      The amount of low self esteem from people is amazing.

  15. Re:makes sense by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    then try /r/bigdicks, /r/bigfatdicks, /r/bigfathairydicks, /r/bigblackdicks, or /r/petiteasianvsbigblackcock.

  16. this is like saying that water is wet by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 1

    China is a totalitarian communist dictatorship.

    The surprise is that you can ever reach websites the head honchos don't like; not that you can't here or there or now and then.

  17. Re:Eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can't say much was lost. The leftism over there is suffocating.

    It was a simple business decision.

    1. Take money from China (through PR agencies)
    2. Ban the admins of the popular subs and install Maoist replacements
    3. Start banning less popular subs and their admins because Maoists don't control them yet
    4. China bans you anyway

    Obviously they must ban more subs.

  18. What a tragedy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now where are Chinese users going to go to circle jerk about how bad the USA and anyone right of the political center are?

  19. Its not that bad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Tor + ObfsProxy = bye bye censorship.

  20. Re:Eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    China is a private company owned by the Communist party, they're free to censor whatever they want! /s

  21. Ask Me Anything... except that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There was an AMA with a low-level party member a couple of days ago, and lots of people were very worried that he was going to get in trouble for it. He was pointedly ignoring any questions that were outright dangerous (e.g. Tiananmen Square), but some of his answers were... not the party line. Wouldn't surprise me if he got rumbled (he wasn't very cautious about anonymity) and censured and this block is part of their mitigation strategy.

    1. Re:Ask Me Anything... except that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't tell us that and not link to it

  22. Geo location matters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There can be huge difference in accessibility to same site depending on city, county province and also what day

  23. Bummer by nospam007 · · Score: 1

    But where do the Chinese get their conspiracy theories now?

  24. Aren't VPNs illegal there? by AlanObject · · Score: 1

    I thought China had outlawed VPNs there.

    I do know that in the middle east at VPN can get you some jail time and a big fine. They do that not so much for politics but that it protects the royalty-owned phone carrier's profits. $15/minute is worth protecting.

    I have only been to China once but then as ever I wouldn't make light of flouting their laws.

    1. Re:Aren't VPNs illegal there? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      American expat in China here - working and living in China for the last 8 years. It's socioeconomically the "wild west" here with many more times the population - as a result the laws and regulations are often not enforced. China also knows that 99% of the foreigners that work and live here (easily over half a million) rely on VPNs to access the blocked services for personal and business reasons (family, friends, work, etc). Blocking those sites are more political theater than it is actual censorship and they know it.

    2. Re:Aren't VPNs illegal there? by dwater · · Score: 1

      It seems a bit unclear. This seems to reflect my own experience, somewhere (though also seems a little like an ad):

      https://www.travelchinacheaper...

      IMO, they don't really want foreigners in China, so anything like this that will frustrate us. The main focus for such restrictions is for the locals.

      --
      Max.
  25. Re:makes sense by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

    In this case it's probably the Winnie the Pooh memes. Their "president" is the spitting image.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  26. Re: Eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Also: it's the law, so there is nothing to discuss.

  27. SWEET! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can they please block it here (US) as well!? Pretty please?

  28. Alex Jones blocked in USA! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fuck off!

  29. It's full of shills and anti-China rhetoric by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    no wonder they block it, and good riddance, it's a fucking McCarthyist echo chamber full of pro-American shills and people there to negatively affect your opinion and idea of China, Russia, or whoever else is on the current agenda.

  30. Re:Eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    sorry cranky old folks, but that's just a reflection of today's youth

  31. Re:makes sense by FilmedInNoir · · Score: 2

    Why hasn't it been blocked by Russia yet? I'm putting up pictures of Putin getting his ass reamed everyday and all I get are Russians saying he can take a much bigger cock. So frustrating, me getting no respect for my artwork and Putin not getting a big enough horse cock in the ass to orgasm.

    --
    Sig. Sig. Sputnik
  32. Re:makes sense by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  33. Most powerful nation on earth in 10 years, not 100 by aberglas · · Score: 1

    China's GDP is already greater than that of the USA in purchasing parity terms, which is what counts if you want to purchase air craft carriers. It will soon overtake the USA in absolute terms. Xi Jinping is has said that he wants to build up their military and their influence. And what Emperor Xi says is what happens.

    VPNs are illegal in China. You will not go to jail at the moment, but you will loose a lot of social credit points if they government catches you with an illegal one. Would you really risk that just to read Redit?

    Under Xi, China has become much more oppressive over the last couple of years. The screws are tightening, and soon I think illegal VPNs will become dangerous to run, and so become very rare.

    The speed of change is truly amazing. When I was a kid, some 30,000,000 Chinese had starved under Mou's Great Leap Forward. Then the Cultural revolution. Then the huge opening up under Deng Xiaoping. And the hope and expectation of a move to democracy. And now the crack down by Xi, And all this time the unimaginable economic growth.

    In the west, we live roughly the same as our parents did, excluding computers. In China it is unimaginably different.

  34. Ban China by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think modern site should just ban China. The should not be allowed to participate in global society until they start to respect human rights.

  35. Re:makes sense by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    then try /r/bigdicks, /r/bigfatdicks, /r/bigfathairydicks, /r/bigblackdicks, or /r/petiteasianvsbigblackcock.

    Everyone knows you ran that list off with total fluency. There is literally no way that you had to refer to any other source of information before typing your comment.

    You have a head full of dick.

    I hope the Chinese wipe out all these soft Americans who have their heads stuffed full of big black dicks.

  36. And nothing of value by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    was lost.

  37. Use UltraSurf (+ tor) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Assuming that slashdot (and dropbox) are not also blocked in China, I suggest to anyone affected by this to send a plain text message to gettor@torproject.org with subject containing absolutely nothing and body containing:

    windows

    And then use the Tor Browser to go to ultrasurf.us to download the Ultrasurf program (which is currently on version 18.04). That program will unblock pretty much any site including reddit (and it's free, with no ads). Unfortunately, there's only a windows version, but maybe you can use WINE to run it on osx or linux.

    (Did you think they were able to read this?)