Google: China Blocking Gmail

Nation targeting chatter behind Jasmine Revolution, says company
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 21, 2011 1:45 AM CDT
Updated Mar 21, 2011 6:00 AM CDT
Google Rips China for Attacking Activist Gmails
The Chinese government is hitting Gmail in a sophisticated attack, according to Google.   (AP Photo/DAPD, Torsten Silz, File)

In the latest battle between China and Google, the company is charging the government with interfering with Gmail. Users are having increasing trouble sending emails and accessing other services linked to the operation, according to Google. Following the Japanese earthquake tsunami disaster, Google set up an application to help people find missing relatives and friends. This service has also been compromised in China, reports the Guardian. "There is no issue on our side. This is a government blockage carefully designed to look like the problem is with Gmail," said a Google spokesman.

Google earlier charged that "highly targeted and apparently politically motivated attacks" were being launched by hackers against Gmail users, but did not specifically blame the government. Last month dozens of Chinese activists were busted after an anonymous online call for people to start a Jasmine Revolution in the wake of Mideast unrest. The crackdown came as China's president, Hu Jintao, called for an Internet crackdown to prevent unrest. Chinese officials have not commented on Google's latest charges. (More China stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X