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Various sources are reporting that the Chinese authorities have blocked internet access to popular social networking and email sites such as Twitter, Flickr reviews, Bing, Live.com, Hotmail.com and several others.

According to the Telegraph, "[T]he measures came as the authorities tried to close all avenues of dissent ahead of Thursday's anniversary, placing prominent critics under house arrest and banning newspaper from making any mention of the pro-democracy protests." This latest co-ordinated internet 'blackout' was initiated at 5 P.M. local time as various websites suddenly became unavailable to Chinese internet users.

Related Links:
China begins internet 'blackout' ahead of Tiananmen anniversary Telegraph
China blocks Twitter service ahead of anniversary Reuters

Updates:  UPDATED Jun 03, 2009 7:58 AM PST
China To Netizens: Shut Up Vivian Wai-yin Kwok, Forbes, Jun.3.2009
China Blocks Twitter, Flickr, Bing, Hotmail, Windows Live, etc. Ahead of Tiananmen 20th Anniversary Rebecca MacKinnon, Jun.2.2009
Freedom House Denounces China’s New Internet Restrictions Freedom House, Jun.2.2009

Related topics: Censorship