When users experienced a “metallic buzzing” on WhatsApp and Telegram calls starting in Aug. 2025, Russia’s state internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, claimed it was because the platforms acted as aids in alleged fraud and terrorism. Just a week after the initial interference, the Kremlin announced a mandate that the VK messaging app Max would come preinstalled […]
Tag: internet censorship
WeChat isn’t China’s Facebook. It’s something bigger.
It’s often hard for people outside of China to wrap their heads around the vast capabilities of WeChat. Writing it off as a “knock-off Facebook” does it an injustice. In fact, it might be the most potent form of propaganda China has ever employed. “China’s App for Everything” may appear to be but a copycat […]
The Future of Mudslinging
How Modern Technology Will Impact Future Election Cycles In 20 years, what will your social media history look like? Would you be comfortable with a prospective employer sifting through your Facebook, Instagram, or (heaven forbid) your Tinder? Without context, do you think any of this would need explaining? Would any of it haunt you? Good […]
Mr. Xi Jinping, Tear Down This (Fire)Wall
In Beijing, signs throughout the city read: “Patriotism, Innovation, Inclusiveness, Virtue.” Like most political slogans, this particular one relies heavily on wishful thinking and an element of deception. China ranks 22 out of 50 OECD economies in innovation, a surprisingly low number given the prowess of the Chinese economy. Innovation itself is synonymous with taking […]