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The latest news from the host of Beijing Olympics is not a good one. The Internet providers in China have blocked access to iTunes. It has been unavailable in China since Monday. Although there is no iTunes store aimed at the Chinese market, the stores intended for other countries will be effected as a ton of foreigners are in China for the Olympics. A government-run website, China.org.cn, reported on Aug. 8 that “Songs for Tibet” had “ignited strong indignation” in the country.

According to The New York Times

The Art of Peace Foundation, a Tibetan activist group in the US had invited Olympic athletes to download a free compilation album, “Songs for Tibet.” According to a news release from the foundation, more than 40 athletes downloaded the album, which includes songs by Sting and Alanis Morissette. Following the album’s release, iTunes users in China found that the program’s software was not working. Beijing authorities have not commented, and a spokesman for Apple said the company was investigating the problem.

Even Amazon and Youtube links for “Songs for Tibet” are blocked. This certainly is a very unwelcome move by China, when a large amount of foreigners are there for the Olympics and have been denied access to iTunes, which is used by lots. Blocking it on the basis of an album named on Tibet, is pure stupidity and once again shows the power of the Great Firewall of China.