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http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/755416–big-brother-listening-in-on-karaoke
Chinese authorities have begun installing a “black box” in karaoke machines, allowing police to monitor the songs sung by bar patrons.
Karaoke is enormously popular in China, and takes place at bars called KTVs. The pilot program in the city of Chongqing targets nearly 200 of those bars.
The government provided each with a National Karaoke Content Management System. Ostensibly, the add-on allows bureaucrats to accurately track songs and music videos in order to prevent piracy.
In reality, the system allows the government to look in on what people are singing. Dirty lyrics are frowned upon. Political dissent – in the form of pro-Tibet or Free Taiwan messages – is far worse. In either case, if a patron chooses a forbidden tune, an alarm is sent to a nearby police station. Because of this, Chinese karaoke enthusiasts are calling the system “the black box.”
Banned songs include “Nightmare,” “Even the Pig Smiles” and “Conquer the World.”
According to the Chongqing Evening News, the video for “Conquer the World” includes strange allusions to French women, a fantasy about working in the X-rated film business in Japan, and public urination outside the White House.
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