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Q: Is Youku blocked outside of China? Why?
I tried to send a video clip from youku to a friend of mine, but they told me they were unable to view the video (the site said it was unavailable outside of China or something like that). I understand the reasoning behind blocking foreign websites IN China, but what's the benefit of blocking Chinese websites OUTSIDE of China?
11 years 11 weeks ago in Web & Technology - China
It is not blocked here in the United Arab Emirates.
The point is probably that Youku have full movies and TV shows and therefore is seen as illegal in some countries. That is my guess at least.
China blocks many sites. Maybe that country is simply returning the favor.
Many Chinese sites aren't available outside China, mainly those that break the copyright regulations of the foreign nations. I don't know who blocks them, is it self-policed (I doubt that) or imposed by some agency in the 'foreign' country, and if the latter, what is that agency?
I have heard of people outside China who use a Hong Kong VPN to get into the movie sites.
I just tried to open youkou, to see, and it crashed my computer in a fairly epic manner. As to why? I suspect it has a lot to do with copyright.
Western countries should block more Chinese sites, particularly media (propaganda) sites, and those which restrict competition in China by blocking western sites.
crimochina:
traveler you are seriously wrong. people in western countries should be exposed to as much as possible. witnessing first hand the false news reporting of the chinese media is essential. i do not want to rely on someone to tell me about it, i want to be able to see it for myself.
i'm an adult, i could detect bs all by myself , if someone can't read articles and sort facts from propaganda then they need to really get themselves checked out
i'm an american, i do not need my govt being my mommy telling me what i can or cant read.
Traveler:
I was thinking more in the line with trade sanctions. When other countries commit human rights violations, breach international trade law or are deemed to be a threat to certain technologies, the west and the rest of the world place trade sanctions on that country, or restrict use of the dangerous technology.
In the modern age, internet technology is the major trade tool. However, if China misuses that technology, it should have limitations placed on it, such as the limitation on Youku. If Western sites are not allowed to do business in China, surely similar restrictions on Chinese sites operating in western counties should apply.
If Chinese media sites are encouraging racial hatred, like in the recent anti-Japanese riots, should they be allowed to spread this message in the west as well?
China blocks Facebook from operating in China, in effect restricting trade. Similar restrictions should therefore be placed on similar Chinese companies operating in the west.
Chinese companies such as Huawei are suspected of espionage in the west. Should they be allowed to continue offering their services on the internet in countries that have black banned them?
The Chinese military are the number one hackers of foreign governments and private prganisations in the world, misusing the technology to steal trade and defence secrets. Surely some limitations on their use of internet for trade should be imposed in retaliation for these crimes.
Xinhua provides a free news service to media in African countries, counteracting pay-for-use news services which report news more accurately. This is clearly a foreign government attacking free trade in Africa of news services. Additionally, is it desirable for the rest of the world, and Africa, that China's misinformation and propaganda be widely spread all over Africa?
don't confuse licensing with censorship. many sites are not licensed for people to view them outside of a certain region. if i want to listen to my favorite radio station online from china, i will not be able to do it. because the broadcasting company does not allow it. not the govt banning it. it has to do with their fear of having people get it for free (advertisers would be advertising to people who can not buy their product) remember the thinking is corporate thinking not common sense.
The site is ok to use in Canada. But many of the movies are not able to be seen.
What's the benefit of blocking youtube and facebook in China? If you answr to that question, then you will have the answer to your question. BTW. I am glad youku it's blocked outside of China. It couldn't be otherwise.
I have sent yukou videos to my friends back home. If the y are not movies or tv shows, they can see them (newsclips, local videos, etc.).
Seems to depend on what is being sent.
The real reason is because Youku is on NASDAQ. To aboard NASDAQ the coorperate has to abide US laws. But Youku has many full movies and music that violate the copyrights laws in US. So it's blocked over there. I have no idea about other regions.
Well I kind of wish, that while some people blame China and some Chinese cooperates violating copyrights laws in the US, they could also be aware of, that the American shareholders are actually benefiting from those illegal activities. Nice slap.
