Tech Today: China Blocks Bing Search Engine
TECH TODAY – Microsoft Corporation stated on Wednesday stated that China blocked the Bing search engine. Further, this was the latest foreign technology that China’s Great Firewall shut down.
According to Microsoft, “We’ve confirmed that Bing is currently inaccessible in China and are engaged to determine next steps.”
Moreover, this is the second setback for the US technology giant in China. The first one happened back in November 2017, when Apple and Android app services removed the company’s Skype internet phone call and messaging service.
In mainland China, a search was performed on Bing’s China website – cn.bing.com. However, the search directs the user to a page that says the server is unavailable or cannot be reached.
Meanwhile, China Unicorn is major state-owned telecommunication. Based on The Financial Times’ report on Wednesday, China Unicorn confirmed that the government-mandated to block the search engine.
However, the government watchdog Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) refused to release a statement about the matter.
The Great Firewall of China considered Bing as the only major foreign search engine accessible in the country. In compliance with the government’s policy, Microsoft censored search results, particularly on sensitive topics.
Moreover, the US technology giant has partnered with 21Vianet, a data center provider in China. This partnership allows Microsoft to offer its products Azure and Office 365 to clients in the country.
Since 2010, China has blocked Alphabet’s Google search platform. As per Google CEO Sundar Pichai in December, the tech company has “no plans” to relaunch its search engine in China. However, he argued that Google is making a continuous study about the idea amid increased scrutiny of big tech firms.
Tech Today: Hulu makes 25% price cut on its popular plan
Hulu’s monthly plan dropped from $2 to $5.99, making it one of the most affordable video streaming services in the US. Further, this move was part of the company’s effort to attract more subscribers amid its tough competition with Netflix and Amazon.
On Wednesday, Hulu made the announcement about the matter and added that it will increase the price of its live TV option. The live TV option plan has the highest price at $5 to $44.99 per month to subscribe.
Walt Disney, Twenty-First Century Fox, Comcast, and AT&T jointly owned the streaming company. Hulu’s decision followed after Netflix decided to increase its most popular plan in the United States by 18 percent to $12.99.
Currently, Hulu, Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video are into an aggressive approach to create further original content. Moreover, they also introduced attractive plans to lure more subscribers.
