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Gov't Censorship Pushing Users To More Private Messaging In China
An anonymous reader writes What happens when the Chinese government drastically restricts the type of speech that can be used in their country's most popular public forum? Users start migrating to more private options, naturally. Microblogging service Sina Weibo is bleeding users, while the semiprivate WeChat is growing expansively. It's growing so quickly that the government is stepping up its efforts to monitor and delete conversations that don't meet its exacting standards. The site's posting rules have developed in an interesting way, given the lack of free speech: "WeChat allows the creation of public accounts that anyone can follow, but limits posts to one a day. In addition, access to public accounts is not possible on cellphones, making it more difficult, for instance, to launch an incriminating photo of a public official into the blogosphere. Comments are also deleted after a few days, making long-term discussions challenging and erasing a historical record." Is this the natural result of government meddling in online conversations? What will chat services in China (and other speech-stifling nations) look like in another five or ten years?
So, where are the free speech zone in China? Oh, that's right, there is no free speech at all in China!
Sure, the USA is becoming a police state, but China is already a police state. Let me know when
in the USA they start censoring texts, e-mails, and live chat in real time.
You're not supposed to suppress dissent - just privatise the media, consolidate it, and drown out your opponents.
Have they learned nothing from the US?
*checks debt clock* oh fair enough
hahaha your an idiot if you cant see whats real
WE don't have ANY RIGHT to tell them how to live @ all, period. Do I *think* China's right for doing it? No - it's the 1 place they, & yes the Russians, are stupid...
Why?
Easy - human nature: Humanity HATES captivity, even when it's benevolent. The perfect trap removes the desire of the prisoner to escape. We haven't perfected one yet.
Every time we TRY? It backfires on US, on MANY levels (financially, but more importantly in our poor's lives or our reputation internationally) -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
(I said it better there than I care to even ATTEMPT to do, again, here...)
The Chinese can do as they please, in their OWN nation (we don't have any say imo) & they are strong enough to tell us "Go fuck yourselves" + get away with it... and they're right. I don't agree with them, they're stupid there, but it is THEIR home (not yours, mine, or ours).
APK
P.S.=> Forrest Gump: "That's all I have to say, about that..."
... apk
Censorship in China, mass surveillance from the USA, smaller scale but similar things in Europe...
It's time to get the Internet out of the hands of governments. At this point is is beyond clear they will use it as a tool for control, just like they have used other things in the past.
We're at a tipping point. We can chose to have the most free and open means of communication humanity has ever known, where anyone can talk to anyone freely and privately, without anyone else's approval or acceptability-monitoring. Or, we can continue down the path of monitoring, censorship, and social manipulation by the elite, and control by big media.
We get to pick, based on what we support. Keep supporting curated systems like Facebook or WeChat? Well, it's clear where that road goes.
Choose wisely.
Comments are also deleted after a few days, making long-term discussions challenging and erasing a historical record.
so let me get this straight... the country with arguably one of the best written histories over millennia, is no longer allowing history to be maintained?
have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
Using outright bullshit that doesn't apply to other nations, whatsoever, according to THEIR rules (not ours)!
Yes - That's how "spinmasters" work.
Unfortunately, he's NOT very good @ his job & his fav. color = transparent (I see RIGHT thru him, spouting b.s. like that).
APK
P.S.=> Don't know about the rest of you but... all this hypocritical SHIT, trying to tell other nations how to run their own show (& worse, kicking ass on the WEAK ones that don't instantly kowtow to "their master's voice", which is a BULLY @ work, nothing more)!
Man: It makes me ill - again though:
Do I *think* the Russkies or Chinese are RIGHT? Hell no!
My God - they're stupid for trying to suppress folks & they're both intelligent nations!
Still - they, like us unfortunately, will destroy themselves breeding internal revolution (just will take more time is all, but that's when we send in 'agent provacateurs' to speed it up is all - how fucking lame, all of it) - makes me sick, all of it, but moreso this BULLSHIT about "protecting freedom" when OURS IS BEING REMOVED DAILY here no less!
... apk
* yes...
APK
I couldn't agree MORE with all of your POINTS. I am going to DIGEST THEM (- or at least read through them) to determine "my opinion" on the matter because they seem? - like they will be insightful & sensible & full of *content. Elon Musk Tesla BULLSHIT (parenthesis) hosts file
link link link
P.S.=> "Arise" for we have nothing to loose but our chairs as Groucho once said ~~ & the CONSTITUTION OF THE US will free us from the Tyranny of the domain name resolvers. With hosts files you have Efficiency. ... apk
You mean like the US... and every other country on the planet? Does anyone notice what happens to people that try to expose corruption?
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
Downmod what you can't validly or logically combat -> http://yro.slashdot.org/commen...
* :)
(You're only making MY point, for me, all the more... & reacting just like I thought you might, those of you that stand to gain by shitting on other nations policies or business (it's theirs, not OURS))...
What was it "V" said? Oh yea - "When the truncheon is used in lieu of conversation..."
APK
P.S.=> You can ALWAYS count on idiots to be predictable - thank you, to whoever downmodded me (since you've proven that as well, another point of mine here, right now, lol)... apk
When you sober up, read this too (you need it & failed using the "last resort" of idiots) http://yro.slashdot.org/commen...
Same troll from USSR thread on same subject as here that got schooled by apk, obviously http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke.
But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat.
There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?
Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression.
And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission.
How did this happen?
Who's to blame?
Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.
I know why you did it.
I know you were afraid.
Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease.
There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler.
He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent.
Last night I sought to end that silence. Last night I destroyed the Old Bailey, to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives.
So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament, and together we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever be forgot.
Get used to it: "George Washington 'never told a lie'"? WTF?? 1st politician in history that never did... lol & ONLY one!
APK
P.S.=> Guess he didn't set a good enough example, whereas by the same token, they SURE DID with JFK, now didn't they? That's what scares the hell out of the ones we have now... & that alone!
... apk
1st thing they do (like ANY 'conqueror', just on a diff. battlefield, for your MIND?): Seize communications, law, & media... period.
APK
P.S.=> "Abres Los Ojos" man... it's the WAY IT IS, & always has been, + sadly probably ALWAYS will be (sociopathy, it's a characteristic of "leaders" - strong self-belief, willing to stomp ANYONE & ANYTHING in their way to get THEIR way (obviously NOT the best way for all concerned, on themselves & their cronies) & "the ends justifiy the means"...
However: Only thing is, for how long? How long until you get what you see in IRAQ now, everywhere??
That scares the hell out of me.
Why?
I live in a 'barely controlled chaos' area, inner urban... I don't WANT to see the psychos around here get outta control is why, as I'd be one of the folks getting attacked (& yes, attacking back, I've had to before))... you're NEVER THE SAME after it & they leave THEIR DIRT, on YOUR SOUL, indelible ink that never goes away.
All I have to say is: These "victors" had better SMARTEN UP, & fast (or shit's going to fly)... apk
Self-delusion anyone?
I am Chinese and I don't think the moving from Weibo to WeChat is caused by Gov't Censorship. It is just a trend like ppl moved for my space to face book. I am surprised that the author can make such conclusion with out a single fact other than people are moving from one social media to another. I know slashdot is very anti-China, but this is just goes too far and will reduce the credibility of slashdot.
I asked for you, & those like you, to respond here (where MY words were instantly downmodded from sight - doubtless by those who are the BIGGEST abusers of what they themselves "preach", for THEIR OWN GAIN, the most - those 'fighting for 'freedom'' ... whose freedom? The 1% wealthy & military industrial complex "members of the club"... iirc, this is WHY the great Greek civilization OUTLAWED occult (hidden) societies, & why I myself have SHUNNED them (every president's been one almost here, & I've, oddly, been invited to join them 3x in my life... why'd I decline? I do *NOT* want to become part of those I dislike, the most - the "man behind the curtain"...).
Anyhow/anyways: PLEASE read what I wrote, & respond...
Thank-You.
Sincerely,
APK
P.S.=> Honestly man? NOBODY can tell you Chinese what to do - you've GROWN your nation, your SPIRIT (imo, that of almighty God even though communisn is, iirc against religion (organized religions I agree doing that too, they've been caught pulling crap all thru history), believing & ACHIEVING in yourselves again - be PROUD of it, but not too proud... that comes before a fall).
Also - I look @ the results on our planet, they speak for me... our "leaders" are corrupt, bought out or blackmailed into submission, & a SEPARATION OF CORPORATION & STATE needs to occur (like that of separating Church & state in the past), more than anything... has to stop, or what's going on in IRAQ will be everywhere (I hope not)... apk
It will reach the point that it wont matter what you are saying. If you are hiding your conversations from the Chinese government as a citizen at all, its grounds enough for them to come collect you and imprison you forever. ( or just shoot you and your family on the spot )
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Reply here http://yro.slashdot.org/commen... THAT IS, *only* IF you are not some puppet sent by your government to "massage the situation" here, & spinmaster control it.
* :)
(We get QUITE enough of that here, in the USA... lol!)
APK
P.S.=> See you there (or not)... it was instantly downmodded, & yes:
Despite all the 'cries' beneath my post saying "freedom of speech = good" & yet, as you can see? They INSTANTLY downmodded me, suppressing MY freedom to speak, the hypocrite spinmaster bastards out to "further their own agendas" obviously!
Now - the credibility of /.?? Hell man, there IS none - it's full of exactly that KIND of hypocritical crap! apk
Well I didn't mean just the winners of wars writing history. I was referring to how for example, people living on the sea compared to people living in large inland cities along a river. There's many other reasons than mere military might involved. Who would have been the recorders? Educated people tended not to live greatly outside a settlement-style-of-life. Nomads and sailors have recorded history but never on that scale! The Internet has pretty much totally wiped out what we consider traditional history-recording practices. The mass-media merely touched it in comparison.
To shit on you people, & for what? Doing what YOU DO, with YOUR RULES, in YOUR HOUSE/LAND?? Hey - that, is where I personally, say "cut the crap": It's THEIR land, their rules.
NO, it's to FURTHER YOUR ENEMIES AGENDAS, & via bogus less than honorable means. That is what I think & know, & it goes on here too (more on that below).
Do I agree with what YOUR nation is doing? Heck no - still, it's YOUR LAND, not ours, & THAT, is that! I have, no say (other than I think your government & that of the USSR in communism will fail, ultimately, due to such reprehensible tactics...)
I don't agree with their MEANS or their motives. You Chinese, however, & I think it comes from your 5,000++ yrs. of recorded history + wisdom from it? Will possibly succeed - you have been lately, & like nobody else... why?? Your rulers KNOW "Happy Workers are GOOD workers", very simple & yes, it works... can't argue with your results.
Our "rulers" due to greed? Have forgotten that.
I don't agree with what you're doing though, & no more than this guy did sticking up for me in the USSR thread -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme... which is the point I am making here to you (since it is the 'dark side' of human nature) - those doing wrong & losing will do *ANYTHING* to those that floor them... & as far as that on /.?
Read what the fellow (lister king of smeg) said when I was attacked totally off topic, with effete illogical ad hominem attacks said in that link above.
APK
P.S.=> That's HOW it works around here: Moderation is EASILY abused & I've caught scum here using sockpuppets or downmodding, logging out, trolling by ac posts & then altering the state saving cookie to make it APPEAR that their line of bullshit of "You can't issue a downmod in the same thread you posted in stick" yea? I can sell you all a bridge in brooklyn too (or I can state how easily that crap is beaten... just like MY being able to post as much as I like, even as AC, defeating the 10x a day AC limit - the code here, blows, just like the ethics)... apk
It's the ac troll with NO BALLS who a registered 'luser' even told off in the USSR thread http://tech.slashdot.org/comme... of the same nature as here & you use the same tactics, utterly reprehensible ones... how can you LIVE with yourself?
(There too, is where I stand by my arguments, even though I do NOT agree with the communists methods - they are, @ least, doing it on THEIR ground, not ours... who are WE to tell THEM what to do in THEIR lands? Nobody. They've also got the POWER to tell us to "F the hell off" too... they can't be bullied like some small middleeastern country can though, now can they? Nope!).
You're also the DUNCE I totally schooled during your other illogical ad hominem attack on my wares, TOTALLY failing in the light of concrete, verifiable, & UNDENIABLE FACTS I always "dust" you whimp trolls with, easily -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
Funny that, eh? Not.
I have to ask: Are you insane? You fit a possible definition of it, constantly repeating that same mistake expecting different results - & the ONLY thing that can destroy me IS me... certainly not the trolling WORM disgusting likes of you, that is certain!
(Yes - even when you have a registered luser account here I am sure, instead TRULY being cowardly posting by unidentifiable ac posts trolling me - you know I can FRY you under that account is why, trying it then using it, and failling... lol, I am right and you know it, it's so obvious!).
You've no honor, whatsoever. No integrity either, and certainly NO BALLS, whimp!
APK
P.S.=> Yes, I am laughing at you... thanks for the GOOD laugh... apk
WeChat is not "semi private" at all, and people do not move to it because it's "semi private".
Tencent, the company behind WeChat, and the company of QQ (which is a so damn common IM in China, at least before WeChat), is known for keeping chat records and cooperating with police/government when required. And people know that.
Of course if you want to do business in China you'll more or less have to some similar thing, but the point here is, I don't think people leave Weibo for WeChat, these are two different things (think about "people are leaving Twitter for WhatsApp/Viber/whatever").
The problem of Weibo is, it's filled with so many annoying content, like celebrity gossips, ads and scams, etc. etc., and it's (unsurprisingly) pushing "what's hot" to end users.
Same thing happens in WeChat's "friend circle" blog-like feature, but at least you can turn it off.
There're two factors that I think is very important for the rise of WeChat; one it's it uses QQ's account at the beginning (although this is changed in WeChat 5), so it easily inherits the freaking user base from Tencent; another one it's it emphasize the "push to talk" feature from day one, which fits the "fast nature" of (cyber) life style in China quite well.
Censorship is everywhere here. I won't expect any public business to disobey that.
The hard part is not finding an encrypted IM; it's to convince your friends to use it.
I don't like WeChat at all, but eventually I have to use it (because my friends are moving to it, because their friends are moving to it).
thanks
Because you're fucking well next.
You whiny bunch of cowards.
Wow. There is only one post with a score of 3 at the moment and nothing higher. Must have been a boring discussion.