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Chinese Authorities Block International Version of Google

Internet users in China whose been trying to access Google have found that the site is inaccessible. The Chinese authorities have blocked access to the international uncensored version of Google so users will not have an uncontrolled access to online information, media watchdog said. Aside from Google`s main site, other Google services such as Google Mail and Google News are gradually being blocked.

The French media watchdog says that Google has complied with the Chinese government censorship demands and that it aids them with their information control campaign. "Google has just definitively joined the club of western companies that comply with online censorship in China," Reporters Without Borders said. "It is deplorable that Chinese Internet users are forced to wage a technological war against censorship in order to access banned content."

While the international version of Google is inaccessible, the censored Chinese-language version, Google.cn, is up and running. A Beijing-based Google spokeswoman said Wednesday, "We launched an investigation last week," spokeswoman Cui Jin said. "As long as we don`t have more certain information, it would be irresponsible for us to comment more."