China is Tahongcontinuing to crack down on internet use against its citizens amid massive protests that have been sweeping the nation.
The Cyberspace Administration of China published a new set of guidelines, going into effect on Dec. 15, that would make internet users in China liable for simply likingposts that the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission chaired by leader Xi Jinping deem illegal or harmful, according to CNN.
SEE ALSO: Protests erupt at Foxconn's iPhone factory in China over working conditions, payThis comes as street protests erupted in cities across the nation over the weekend against the "dynamic zero COVID" policy. The anti-COVID measure include strict lockdowns imposed by local authorities, mass testing, forced isolation and quarantines, closing businesses, shops, and schools, and maintaining lockdowns until there are no new infections reported, according to the BBC. Tens of millions of people are living under some kind of lockdown, and some workers have been forced to sleep inside factories so they can continue to work while being quarantined.
A social media post that was forwarded widely quoted former Chinese leader Xi Zhongxun, the late father of Chinese President Xi Jinping, as saying "the people should be allowed to speak and encouraged to care about state affairs," NPR reported. The country has two options, according to the news outlet: dropping the policies altogether and triggering an increase of COVID cases, or to double down on their zero-COVID policies, escalating lockdowns and political repression.
As a result of the zero-COVID policies, China has been stepping up internet regulation because of the online public anger against the policies. According to The New York Times, users "are also flipping videos on their side, using filters on them, or recording videos of videos" in order to evade algorithms made to flag content and take it down.
The new guidelines are similar to guidelines published in 2017, but these now regulate "likes" of public posts and other types of comments. It's making people fearful that the nation might begin to crack down on social media even more than it has in the past.
"The authorities are very concerned with the spreading protest activities, and an important means of control is to stop the communications of the potential protesters including reports of protest activities and appeals of joining them," Joseph Cheng, a retired professor of political science at the City University of Hong Kong, told CNN. "This cyberspace control is an important lesson absorbed from protest activities like the Arab Spring."
Best smart scale deal: Get 15% off an Etekcity scale at Amazon
Border agents can search phones without a warrant, court rules
ESPN suspends Jemele Hill for tweeting about NFL advertiser boycott
Why are exclusive dating apps usually so disappointing?
Best Echo Show 5 deal: Save $20 at Amazon
Medium employees unionize as 'tech and media are at a crossroads'
Rep. Devin Nunes was temporarily suspended from Twitter after reCAPTCHA fail
Swiping for friends: Why managing others' dating apps is so damn fun
Best water flosser deal: Save $10 on Waterpik Cordless Pulse
Would you buy Apple's VR headset if it looked like this?
Cyrix: Gone But Not Forgotten
Chris Harrison steps down as Bachelor host after problematic comments
Uber riders might be able to hail self
Gen Z doesn't own the middle part. No one does.
The Ultrahuman Ring Air now comes in 18K gold – for a steep price
Elon Musk wants to turn Tesla Roadster into a hover car
Google Chrome on iOS will soon let you make Incognito tabs a lot more private
Google Chrome on iOS will soon let you make Incognito tabs a lot more private
How to unblock XVideos for free
Mastercard will support cryptocurrency payments this year
Apple rumored to kill off the iPad Mini soonThese wireless buds put a computer in your earsBill Cosby comments on sexual assault allegations in first public interview in 2 yearsSurprising developments in China, India could blunt Trump's climate rollbacksNFL star says his team is the 'perfect place' for Colin KaepernickWe need to talk about all these absurd stock photos of hackersSeth MacFarlane's new space comedy could fill the 'Galaxy Quest' void in your heartThe future of Nike design looks amazing in this concept videoThere's an easy way to defend against attacks like WannaCry: Go mobileArtist's amazingly intricate cardboard creations will definitely make you smileKendall Jenner faceWhat to expect at Google I/O 2017David Tennant and Billie Piper reThere's an easy way to defend against attacks like WannaCry: Go mobileFailing up: Jimmy Kimmel and the Oscars producers get another chanceFidget spinner for adults will cost you at least $65Artist's amazingly intricate cardboard creations will definitely make you smileLittle boy goes on epic journey to buy TV for Mother's Day, with only 40 cents in his pocketMysterious flashes of light above Earth have a lessHollywood is getting its own hometown esports team ICE abolished its own Twitter account by mistake How to build your business on what’s not going to change Dick Gregory, Comedian and Civil Right figure, dead at 84 'Lego Star Wars Holiday Special' review: Don't call it a comeback The real history behind 'The Crown' Season 4's Charles and Diana drama We're at a crossroads for free speech online, and it could change the internet as we know it Lucky travelers got to view the total eclipse from an airplane CNN anchor needs a quick drink to get through Trump's last four weeks Waze brings Amazon Music into its app Fair warning: Chelsea Handler's story about adopting a senior dog will make you cry Facebook Messenger's 'vanish mode' makes messages disappear 6 of history's greatest minds that I could easily defeat in Mario Kart 64 5 important details you may have missed from Apple's November event Microsoft is tired of Russian hackers' COVID Golfer skims ball across a lake to sink ridiculously impressive hole Space Karen is the burn Elon Musk deserves after his COVID Netflix's 'Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House Of Fun' is a total Australian blast Marcus Rashford launches book club for kids to promote literacy Chelsea Clinton defends Barron Trump's right to be a kid Did Trump forget about his TikTok ban? TikTok would like to know.