Mac OS X, Linux May be Exempt From Green Dam

By Marcus Yam
published

You can't hide from the Green Dam, unless you're a Mac or a... penguin.

We've been hearing about how PCs sold in China will come pre-installed with the controversial Green Dam filtering software – but what about computers that aren't exactly PCs?

It seems that Apple computers and those running Linux are exempt from the program. According to PC World, Macs sold at the Apple Store in Beijing are free from any Green Dam software, simply because there is no version for Mac OS X. The story does say that if there were an OS X version, then Apple will install it on its Macs.

A Lenovo spokesperson also told the publication that the Ministry of Industry and Information and Technology is not requiring non-Windows systems to come with the program. This means that Lenovo computers that ship with Linux will also not be fitted with any Green Dam software.

Right now it's unknown if the Green Dam software will spread to non-Windows PCs, but there's word of testing going on for compatibility with other systems. It's unclear if this means OS X, Linux, both, or neither.

Either way, those in China opposed to the software might have an extra incentive now to pick up a Mac or Linux machine.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
27 Comments Comment from the forums
  • gorehound
    that is what to do if i was chinese.screw pc makers and winblows for that green dam krap software.

    chinese folks just buy linux or an apple
    Reply
  • adamovera
    ROFLOL
    Reply
  • "We've been hearing about how PCs sold in China will come pre-installed with the controversial Green Dam filtering software – but what about computers that aren't exactly PCs?"

    How can you say a Mac is not a personal computer? What is it a server? An embedded system. Come on seriously. Linux can be run on other stuff, but if it's installed on desktop/laptop it still is a personal computer.

    I kind of doubt this will influence the Chinese in buying more Macs. I really don't think most of the population could afford to waste so much money. And the ones that can afford it I think represent just to little of the market share. Linux should benefit from this, but I am guessing it won't. Either they'll accept they are being watched or they'll do a fresh install of there own(not necessary a legal copy).
    Reply
  • jhansonxi
    Considering how much malware is on Windows, what's one more spyware more or less?
    Reply
  • Will the computer makers be modifying the install discs for China to install this upon installation of the operating system? It seems like the normal format/reinstall smart windows users do upon getting a new computer will get rid of just another piece of spyware.
    Reply
  • megamanx00
    To the Linux
    Reply
  • hemelskonijn
    After countless moronic ignorant remarks about the green dam software Marcus Yam steals the crown !

    You can't hide from the Green Dam, unless you're a Mac or a... penguin.

    Or unless you know how to push your mouse pointer to the field that says uninstall and click it.
    Or on a lot of systems just dont install the "install this to get screwed.exe" file.

    Ignorance from people replying here is nothing new and something we all have to live with.
    However now even tech website reporters are starting to spread propaganda its getting really annoying.

    If you really want something worthy to write about and if you really want to make a change then start fighting the huge firewall that is seperating china from the rest of the world!
    Reply
  • hemelskonijn
    Allbert:

    According to the regulation computer makers dont need to install it they only have to ship the installation files with every computer.
    If they do chose to pre-install it (in the same way they pre-install all kinds of crap for years) you can un-install it just as you would normally do.
    Reply
  • manjyomethunder
    "but what about computers that aren't exactly PCs?"

    Last I checked, all computers this could apply to are "personal computers". However, if you mean "computers that aren't running Windows", then I guess this article makes some kind of sense.
    Reply
  • NuclearShadow
    So what exactly is stopping people from buying a PC with Linux pre-installed and then installing windows on it after?(not that you need a OS already present in the first place) If I was a retailer of PCs over there I would just have all my computers come with Linux and have make my computers come with a free copy of Windows just not pre installed. I could just simply charge the same price as if it was.
    Reply