Chinese internet users are angry with maker Notepad++ for supporting Uyghurs

The Free Uyghur update released by the developer of open source editor Notepad++ has caused a lot of angry reactions from Chinese people. Especially on GitHub, Chinese netizens are voicing their support for the Uyghur Muslim minority in China.

On Notepad++’s GitHub page, the loaded nickname of version 7.8.1, meaning “liberate the Uyghurs,” has sparked a Chinese flamewar. There are comments advocating for the Chinese state, but other posters are targeting Don Ho, the developer of the open source editor.

According to the German T3N, it is raining insults and even racist remarks against Ho, who is called ‘banana’ among other things; in parts of Asia a widespread insult to indicate that one is only Asian outwardly, but a Westerner inwardly. Ho is known to be critical of the Chinese government and the way the country treats the Uyghur minority.

Moreover, it does not stop at insults, because in the meantime the GitHub project would also suffer from DDOs attacks, T3N reports. In a response, Don Ho says he is not surprised by the angry reactions. He also realizes that his bias could have an impact on Notepad++’s popularity, “but this should not be an argument for not taking action.” It is unknown whether it concerns genuinely angry internet users from China or a coordinated action by the Chinese government.

The developer of Notepad++ more often gives his releases a politically or socially charged code name to express his solidarity. Previously this happened, for example, with version 6.6.4 alias the Tiannanmen June Fourth Incident Edition, and with version 6.7.4, the Je Suis Charlie Edition.

One of many critical comments on GitHub