China Will Punish Internet Users who ‘like’ Posts after Protests Against Zero-Covid

“This cyberspace control [is] an important lesson absorbed form protest activities like the Arab Spring,” said he, referring specifically to the protests that werehed over Tunisia and Egypt in 2011, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain, as well as protests in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

“It is important to remember that, in the wake of [China] protests we will likely see more aggressive police work in Chinese cyberspace especially if protests grow,” stated Isaac Stone Fish, CEO of Strategy Risks (a China risk consulting firm based out of New York).

China has been increasing its censorship of online media in recent years. This includes crackdowns on financial blogs, and fan culture. Many online users have expressed discontent over the country’s strict zero Covid policy and Xi’s securing a historic third term.

Many voices of dissident voices have been silenced by the internet censorship.

More rules

All online sites must verify the identities of users before they allow them to post comments or similar posts. The user must provide their social credit, personal ID, and mobile number to verify their identity.

All online platforms must have a “vetting & editing team” to monitor, report on, and delete content in real time. The sites must review comments made on news stories before they are published online.

All platforms must also create a credit rating system for their users based on user comments and likes. People with low ratings, also known as “dishonest”, will be removed from the platform and prohibited from registering any new accounts.

Analysts also wondered if it would be feasible to implement the new rules given public anger and the significant resources required for strict enforcement.

As dissatisfaction grows, it is nearly impossible to stop protests. Cheng stated that angry people have many ways to express themselves and communicate their anger. The perception that the (Communist Party) regime is still in power and the severe sanctions are a major deterrent.

Chongyi Feng is an associate professor in China Studies at the University of Technology Sydney. He said it was “extremely difficult” for the Chinese public now to express their anger and grievances.

He said that “Cyberspace policing is now beyond measure by Chinese authorities, but it does not stop brave Chinese citizens from challenging the regime.”