Chinese police ensnaring Tibetans over phone and internet activity, Human Rights Watch says

Summary: Since 2021, over 60 individuals in Tibet have been arrested for offenses related to phone and internet use, amidst a rising surveillance state. These arrests often target the sharing of unapproved religious and cultural content, posing severe risks for Tibetans engaging in everyday digital communication. Authorities, employing invasive tracking methods, have transformed cellphones into tools for government surveillance, exacerbating the repression of Tibetan culture and dissent.

Affected: Tibetan communities in China

Keypoints :

• More than 60 arrests related to phone and internet use have been reported since 2021.
• The Chinese government has initiated a ban on sharing unapproved religious content online, leading to arrests.
• Mass phone searches and invasive surveillance measures, including a compulsory app, have been implemented by police.
• Tibetans face risks for simply communicating via social media or contacting family abroad.
• The government’s scrutiny extends to social media responses during sensitive events, leading to large-scale detentions.