-
Hong Kong’s Security Bureau proposes amendments to extradition laws that would allow extraditions to mainland China and other countries not covered by existing treaties.
-
During the 2019 Hong Kong protest, mainland Chinese citizens planned their “Anti-protest” protest on WeChat.
-
Thousands take to the streets to protest against the proposed extradition laws. -
An encrypted chat app, Telegram was used to discuss protest logistics in large group chat settings while remaining anonymous. Information passed on in these chats led to effective organization of protestors. Dates are approximate*
-
Airdrop was used to pass information to anyone who had their receiving settings enabled. QR codes would also be used as a fake payment method which would then trigger an AirDrop of information onto the end user device. Dates are approximate*
-
Summer saw many users changing their profile pictures to show support for the protest in Hong Kong. The image garnered much attention and brought the efforts to spread information about the protest out of Asia and into a much wider scope. Dates approximate*
-
This app was used in interesting fashion--it was essentially a counter psyop. Popular hashtags were definitely framed in different language: “Hong Kong Riot” was the most popular hashtag instead of “Hong Kong Protest” or “StandWithHongKong”. Images of a police officer who was beaten during started to circulate on/around July 31, this garnered pro-China following, framing the protests in a negative light. In my mind, images circulated were the product of state media beginning a counter psyop.
-
GM of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, tweeted “Fight for Freedom Stand with Hong Kong”. CCTV, Tencent and the Chinese Basketball Association responded by halting deals with the NBA or banning NBA on the media. Chinese companies withdrew their sponsorships of the NBA, allegedly losing the org $25M.
-
Video game competitor Blitzchung on a championship livestream said “Liberate Hong Kong. Revolution of our times” while wearing a mask. Blizzard revoked his prize money and banned him from competing for a year, to which other video game players and fans responded online with #BlizzardBoycott and #BoycottBlizzard. Blitzchung’s actions and the ensuing social media response added impetus to the movement by pushing more international supporters to become vocal online.
-
Were it not for the impressive response from social media, I don't think that this would have been the way things worked out. While there were still many issues springing up after this, the bill with the proposed laws was withdrawn. I have no doubt in my mind that social media use led to this being blasted on an international scene and forcing China to change its course.