Asia-Pacific News

Instagram blocked in China amid #OccupyCentral movement

Pro-democracy protesters rest around empty buses as they block off Nathan Road, a major route through the heart of the Kowloon district of Hong Kong.
Alex Ogle | AFP | Getty Images

Instagram, the popular photo-sharing service owned by Facebook, has been blocked in China, according to numerous reports, including from Hong Kong-based reporters with the New York Times.

The company did not immediately return requests for confirmation.

The reports came amid pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, where many have posted photos and videos, including of Hong Kong police firing tear gas at demonstrators.

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Many of the photos were labeled with the hash tag "Occupy Central," a phrase that was blocked on Sunday on Weibo, China's version of Twitter. It had been allowed earlier in the day.

The website www.blockedinchina.net also indicated that Instagram was blocked across China, including in Beijing and Shenzhen.

Instagram blocked in China:http://www.blockedinchina.net/?siteurl=instagram.com … pic.twitter.com/DzTtSe1rER