// AjS
[Friday 5 is the product of my work at Edelman Digital (China). Link here for the full Friday 5 archive. If you'd like to be added to the bilingual (English & Chinese) Friday 5 email distribution list, please send me an email at: adam DOT schokora AT edelman DOT com.]
:: today while uploading a video interview I did with with Carol Lin to Tudou.com (arguably China’s leading video sharing site), I was struck by the audacity and real-time efficiency of the site’s content nanny. Tudou had no issues with the video content itself (but who knows, it’s likely to get “harmonized” soon, especially after this post), however, when I tried adding and saving the below video description (apparently “offensive” words / phrases circled, did I miss any?)…
…I was immediately given a smack-down by the site’s content nanny (see below). At least Tudou uses a cute animated character to deliver its big brother message. That always makes things better.
Impressive and disappointing at the same time, but a fact-of-life when doing business on the Chinese Internet, so, it’s understandable. No hard feelings Gary / Marc, I still love you guys and what you’re doing.
What surprised me most was that the system so easily took offense to English words. English words are usually not as closely monitored / sanitized on the Chinese Internet at large as the vast majority of Chinese netizens, truth be told, don’t consume English language content. I wonder if Tudou’s content nanny censors offensive words in any other languages, anyone? I wonder if Youku.com does the same, anyone? // AjS
