Chinese Users Report iTunes Block

Chinese Internet users began complaining late last week that iTunes was inaccessible, and according to the Associated Press, the popularity of a “Songs for Tibet” album may be the reason why access to the site has been blocked.

According to the AP, Michael Wohl, leader of the Art of Peace foundation believes a compilation album featuring artists like Alanis Morissette, Sting and Damien Rice released by the Foundation has triggered what seems to nationwide blockage of Apple’s iTunes.

Mr. Wohl conceded that the foundation had no proof that the Chinese government had blocked the site because of the album (which also includes a 15 minute speech from the Dalai Lama). "We issued a release saying that over 40 (Olympic) athletes downloaded the album in an act of solidarity, and that’s what triggered it. Then everything got blocked," Wohl told the AP over the phone.

The New York Times also reports that the “Songs for Tibet” page on Amazon.com and links for the album on video sharing site YouTube are also unavailable from China. An Apple spokesperson said that the Cupertino-based company was aware of the problem and was investigating the matter.

According to B67BC453-47BD-4E6A-961E-0A2B66227E5B&dist=hppr">MarketWatch, shortly after it’s release the album was ranked as the top selling rock download on iTunes across the world.