Apple blocking Taiwanese e-mails?

People in Taiwan are upset over Apple's treatment of iPhone 4 buyers, says the China Post. In response to complaints about the device's reception problems, the company began issuing free cases to people willing to download a free app. The problem in Taiwan, says local politician Kao Chia-yu, is that Apple's system is rejecting any e-mail sent from or addressed to the region.

Chia-yu has started a protest campaign, asking each affected person to send a letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The request could potentially result in large volume of mail, as some 50,000 iPhone 4s have been sold in Taiwan since a September 17th launch. Three local carriers are selling the device: Chunghua Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEastone Telecom.

A separate campaign is being spearheaded by a local group, the Consumers' Foundation. Chairman Hsieh Tien-ken has accused Apple of discriminating against Taiwanese buyers, and is also calling on the country's government to pressure carriers into demanding cases for their customers. Today is the last day on which an iPhone 4 can be bought and still qualify for a third-party case; afterward, people will be limited to Apple's own Bumpers.

by MacNN Staff