Apple.com Blocked in China?
I have been completely unable to access Apple.com directly via a web browser from here in Weifang, Shandong, for the past few days. I have tried several different computers on different networks. I am not sure what to make of this, as I have been able to access and download files through iTunes from the iTunes music store, mount my iDisk (.Mac account), access my .Mac Homepage and check my .Mac email via Apple’s Mail email client and access Apple.com.cn, all with no problem. I can also access Apple.com via proxy, such as Anonymouse.org. Also, sometimes navigating to Apple.com results in an Apple page concerning iPod repair and warranty programs. I searched online for other people who might be having the same problems but only found an outdated post on Mac Rumors from May 2004.
The all-too-familiar “Safari can’t open page” and Anonymouse ad I see in combination almost daily here behind the protective barriers of the Great Firewall.
Anyone else in China experiencing this? It’s annoying, as I can no longer access my .Mac account via a web browser because of it.
UPDATE Same day, 3:20 PM: I can access Apple.com now.
UPDATE Next day, 12:45PM: I am getting sporadic access to Apple.com now, but have discovered a work-around for accessing my .Mac account for when Apple.com isn’t working here in Weifang by going directly to the .Mac login page.
UPDATE December 26: I still haven’t been able to access Apple.com except via proxy since December 20.
Tags Apple, Apple.com, China, Blocked, Censorship
