Stories about East Asia from July, 2022
Indonesia blocks Yahoo, Paypal, and gaming websites over new licensing rules
"The obligation of registration will open the gate for the government to intervene and censor. It's not just an administrative matter."
Will US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit Taiwan, despite China’s ‘forceful’ warning?
The US House and Taiwan support the visit. China threatened "forceful measures" if Pelosi proceeds and the US military said "it's not a good idea." Will Pelosi make it to Taiwan?
World Cup theme songs through the ages
World Cup Theme Songs: A Sneak Peek into the Past to the Present
In a blow to regional unity, Kiribati leaves the Pacific Islands Forum
"It is meant to be a reminder to us all that our solidarity and unity as a region is dependent on how we treat each other with respect and understanding."
Vietnam’s Zalo Connect app: Digital authoritarianism hidden in peer-to-peer aid platforms
The app connects users in need with private donors. It exemplifies a humanitarian trend that centres on extracting data from vulnerable communities as a precondition to receiving aid.
Legislator wants to rename Philippines’s busiest airport after the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
"Most airports (are) named after historical figures, heroic ones...Marcos Jr. maybe back but that doesn’t belie the fact that Marcos Sr. died a disgraced authoritarian."
What happened to Hong Kong protesters three years after the 2019 crackdowns?
More than 10,000 people had been arrested for protest-related offences and 4,010 of them were students. Three years after, 2,866 of the arrestees — 28 percent — had been prosecuted and about 79 per cent convicted.
A Chinese office platform confirms that users’ files on its cloud server are subject to censorship
Cloud platforms are required by laws to review and censor users' documents on private cloud drives in China.
Cambodian human rights groups continue to demand justice for murdered analyst Kem Ley
"We will still remember Kem Ley because he spoke the truth in society and dared to talk about the shortcomings of the authorities."
Access the Unfreedom Monitor database
The Unfreedom Monitor is an Advox initiative to deepen our understanding of the relationship between technology and authoritarian power. In the first phase of this project, researchers working in 11 countries and four key themes conducted analysis of incidents, narratives, and media items, to explain acts of digital authoritarianism and...
Hong Kong set to implement a China-style health code and contact-tracing app
Hong Kong may adopt a health code system similar to the mainland Chinese three-colour version to curb the latest outbreak of COVID infections, according to the city's new health chief.
Fact-checking the inaugural speech of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"The inaugural speech raises concerns over how facts shall be regarded in the next six years."
Myanmar's military propaganda about schools rampant on social media
With schools reopening amidst targeted attacks, military supporters attempt to position Myanmar as a functional country post-coup.
Indonesia's Covid tracker app PeduliLindungi: To care for and protect?
As PeduliLindungi and the government continue to fumble in its operations, one needs to ask: Is PeduliLindungi really caring for and protecting the Indonesian public?
China: Possible police database breach exposes at least 1 billion citizens’ personal data
"...the data breach is a fresh new case of a dictator’s dilemma: the more you concentrate, the more you lose control."
The poet's mindset as a tool against transphobia: An interview with US veteran and trans activist Drew Pham
Global Voices talked to Drew Pham, a former US Afghan War veteran, who shares her experience as a trans woman, but also a poet, sex artist and educator.
About our East Asia coverage
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Nevin Thompson is the Japan editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
