Stories about East Asia from December, 2016
In 2016, a Toxic Political Smog Spread Over China and Hong Kong
For more than two weeks, 23 Chinese cities have been under a red alert warning citizens to take extreme precautions in light of a toxic smog that has invaded their territories. The smog cloud carries more than 300 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter, which is hazardous to human health. Netizens have…
Thailand’s New Computer Crimes Law Threatens Free Speech and Encryption
"The law's most serious shortcoming is in its giving too much power for authorities to make their own judgement whether certain actions may be deemed in violation of the law."
Activist Arrested on Royal Insult Charges for Sharing BBC Article About Thailand's New King
Almost 2,500 Facebook users shared the post, but the police singled out an activist calling for the restoration of democracy in Thailand.
A Major Leak Exposes How Chinese Loan Sharks Make Female Debtors Take Nude Selfies
Taking nude photos in exchange for a loan may seem bizarre, but that's exactly what's happening in China. A major online leak has cracked the scheme wide open.
Netizen Report: China's New Cybersecurity Law Hardcodes Surveillance Practices Into Law (And Technology)
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Award-Winning Chinese Citizen News Site Founder Detained Amid Crackdown on Human Right Defenders
The founder of a Chinese citizen news site has been detained in what one human rights organization is calling "the escalation of President Xi Jinping’s relentless crackdown on civil society."
