China blocked access to Apple's iTunes store after 40 Olympic athletes downloaded a pro-Tibet album.Times Online: China blocks iTunes over all-star Tibet album free download(August 21, 2008) iTunes users in China can no longer access the online music store.Guardian Unlimited: iTunes blocked after Tibetan album goes online(August 22, 2008)

The move comes after the Chinese government had promised to ease off their strict internet censorship laws for the duration of the Olympics. Apple's Beijing publicist said: "We've seen the situation but can't offer any more information."Guardian Unlimited: iTunes blocked after Tibetan album goes online(August 22, 2008)

China is often criticized for its censorship laws, both on the internet in the media generally. Human Rights Watch describe how "Chinese official censorship primarily targets the movement of information between the global Internet and the Chinese Internet."HRW: How Censorship Works in China: A Brief Overview