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What Can't You Say On China's Social Networks?

Posted by timothy on from the don't-even-go-there-nu-pengyou dept.

An anonymous reader writes "China's 450 million Internet users have taken to social networks in a big way. But these social networking sites, founded on the promise of free expression, have an uneasy existence under an authoritarian regime that punishes certain kinds of expression. This article from IEEE Spectrum tells the story of Sina Weibo, the white-hot social networking phenomenon that has taken over China in the past few years. Citizens have used the microblogging service to protest and rebel — but the Chinese government is getting more sophisticated in its handling of these online grumblings. Side note: an English-language version of Sina Weibo is reportedly on the way. Wonder if it will take off in the US?"

2 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. What Can't You Say On US's Internets? by cgeys · · Score: 5, Insightful

    United States's 200 million Internet users have taken to internets in a big way. But these internets, founded on the promise of free expression, have an uneasy existence under an authoritarian regime that punishes certain kinds of expression. This comment tells the story of the series of tubes, the hot social networking phenomenon that has taken over the world in the past few years. Citizens have used the internets to protest, to rebel and to share knowledge — but the US government is getting more sophisticated in its handling of these online grumblings.

    Not allowed is, for example:
    - Online gambling
    - "Obscene" or violent porn, even if only acted
    - Ordering cheaper medical drugs from other countries
    - Ordering pot or drugs
    - Sharing knowledge if it's copyrighted
    - Sharing entertainment if it's copyrighted
    - Revealing wrongdoing within US government (Wikileaks)
    - Posting knowledge of how to make bombs or certain other technical information
    - Implementing your application or website in a certain way if it's software patented
    - Anything else that hurts the business of Big Money Intangible Industries (Pharma, RIAA, MPAA, BSA)

  2. Difference? by headkase · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In China they arrest you for content, in the USA they just ignore you. You have equal effect in both but more freedom to mouth off in one.

    --
    Shh.