Microsoft – which is usually progressive as far as GLBT rights are concerned – has bowed to 22 Arabic countries and will now censor what it deems “gay lifestyle” content. That’s right – visiting Algeria or Syria anytime soon and you won’t get your daily InstinctMagazine.com fix by using the corp’s Arabic Bing search engine. Site’s classified as GLBT news, dating, information or other are also now invisible to users in the nearly two dozen countries.

If that wasn’t enough to get your beautiful blood boiling, loyal readers, Microsoft users in the censorship-afflicted areas cannot search or view sexual health websites or anything for that matter that includes tags – regardless of their scientific mettle – boasting sex, the body or sexuality.

For a company that earned a 100 rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2010 Corporate Equality Index, this totally makes sense, right? I understand that there are different divisions, but last week Microsoft's Xbox live lifted its ban on sexuality gamer tagging, and this week Microsoft's Bing bans sexuality in Arab countries. Whatever happened to corporate synergy? I need a lunchtime cocktail or four to process this.

Comments (7)

...
written by Paulg, March 09, 2010

Why is that gay is always linked with sex? We don't always link hetero with sex?

• 
• +2
• 
• 

...
written by Freddy, March 09, 2010

Double standard much?

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Andrew Starter, March 09, 2010

I have no immediate plans to visit any of those countries. But those GLBT citizens living there also more to worry about than finding Instinct online.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Trevor M, March 09, 2010

Buttmunch, I think they were kidding. They also mentioned not being able to have access to health related queries and other important info.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by RJTamayo, March 09, 2010

This isn't surprising to me. I've dealt with subscribers in Arab countries - US civilian military employees mostly, who do not have to abide with DADT - who were warned they would be prosecuted by that country if they continued to have Instinct delivered to them. Their mail was screened by that countries "morality cops" which was how they were 'outed' even though they were never secretive about their sexuality to begin with. It puts your life into perspective. We may not have every right on the book right now, but we do enjoy more than others do. And I hope it wakes people up to the fact that the US should not ever become a theocracy. Something Palin and company are just salivating to do.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by tucker, March 09, 2010

MS is actually doing a good thing in this case. Homosexuality is punishable by death in some areas and precieved premiscuity will get you publically stoned or beaten. Those people are not free. They cannot get anything they want or need like most democarcies. Lay off MS until they do something else bad in the USA lol

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by S.Charles, March 09, 2010

Just because these countries have outdated laws and terrifying conditions for GLBT people, doesn't mean we should condone MS actions just so they can make a profit

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment