China's net cops apparently trying to block RSS

I've been poring through emails and web comments from Boing Boing tv viewers today, and noticed a number of messages that read more or less like this:

Hi, I'm in mainland China, and for some reason I can't subscribe to subscribe to Boing Boing tv's RSS feed. -- and come to think of it, I can't subscribe to feeds for Boing Boing or Boing Boing Gadgets, either. Dude WTF?

Our RSS feeds are not broken, nor are they the only ones affected, not by a long shot. According to various reports, authorities in China are attempting to block *all* RSS feeds to keep out information that may be critical of the nation's government. Link to item on Ars Technica.

[#1 posted by gHurley , October 6, 2007 8:21 PM:]

Have they blocked Atom feeds or is it all XML files? If not, BoingBoing should use Atom Feeds.

[#2 posted by Zuhaib , October 6, 2007 10:25 PM:]

Weird to block just RSS feeds, dont see really how they differ from website itself. I mean it would make more sense to block the whole website, but who knows they are just mad. Maybe because RSS allows users to be notified faster then the censors boards can block websites?

[#3 posted by JB Lavin , October 7, 2007 12:23 AM:]

With China's excellent track record of promoting human rights, defending civil rights, and just being an all-around-gosh-darned wholesome democracy, it's no wonder America is not boycotting the 2008 Olympics, like all the other countries are.

Oh, sorry wrong parallel universe.

[#4 posted by mullingitover , October 7, 2007 12:46 AM:]

Meh.

China's censorship of the internet is really more of an IQ test. If you can't figure out how to get yourself some uncensored internet here, you're not really trying.

(Posted from a Beijing Starbucks via SSH tunnel :)

[#5 posted by Sam , October 7, 2007 2:48 AM:]

As more and more people in China come online, the more they will get fed up with China's censorship. I just don't see how it can last.

[#6 posted by Philipp Lenssen , October 7, 2007 2:52 AM:]

I've heard it's mostly restricted to Feedburner, Xeni...

[#7 posted by Hamish , October 7, 2007 7:10 AM:]

This is from China.

I have lived here for six years and don't expect change very soon, if at all.

Most, almost all, Chinese have no idea what they are missing and couldn't care less. Very few look to the internet for information about the world. they are particularly disinterested in English sites.

Soon, very soon, people are going to be preoccupied with finding a drink of water and something to eat. The lack of Boing Boing will matter not at all.

The Beijing water reservoir is at 3% of capacity! The English word for that condition is 'empty.'

[#8 posted by anangbhai , October 7, 2007 7:36 AM:]

Be quiet! BoingBoing can no longer help you. Now, shut up, or I'll burn your feet! Sssssssss.......
YOUR FEET!