In highly-censored regimes, circumvention tools like Tor — a browsing system which provides anonymity and unrestricted internet access — are often targeted by censors. In this article, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) introduces Tor bridges and explains how this technology can be used by journalists to access Tor. After blocking websites […]

“Investigating WeChat” is a four-part series, exploring the complexities and threats posed by Chinese social apps WeChat and its domestic version Weixin. In this final article, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) outlines proactive steps journalists can take to minimise risks while using Weixin and WeChat. Using Weixin or its international clone […]

“Investigating WeChat” is a four-part series exploring the complexities and threats posed by Chinese social apps WeChat and its domestic version Weixin. In this article,  Reporters Without Borders (RSF) scrutinises the intricate ways in which international WeChat remains tied to domestic Weixin. Although the international version of the social app […]

“Investigating WeChat” is a four-part series exploring the complexities and threats posed by Chinese social apps WeChat and its domestic version Weixin. In this article, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) introduces the security and privacy risks associated with the Weixin version.  Weixin, at the crossroads of a messaging app, a social […]

“Investigating WeChat” is a four-part series exploring the complexities and threats posed by Chinese social apps WeChat and its domestic version Weixin. In this article, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) looks at the differences and resemblances between the two versions. WeChat, known in China as Weixin, was launched in 2011 by […]

“Investigating WeChat” is a four-part series exploring the complexities and threats posed by Chinese social apps WeChat and its domestic version Weixin. In this article, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) brushes over the main characteristics of these apps and provides journalists with recommendations for usage. WeChat (and its domestic version Weixin), […]

Facial recognition is ubiquitous in China, and is being used by the Chinese regime to exert heavy social control over its population. This is a major threat to free and independent journalism and puts journalists at great risk. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) discusses why one cannot avoid facial recognition in […]

LINE, a messaging app mostly used in Asia, offers end-to-end encryption but also presents back-end security concerns and a history of data breaches. In this article, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) investigates the safety risks associated with LINE and how best to use the messaging app safely. LINE, a Japanese messaging […]

WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging app, is generally considered as safe but still presents data and privacy issues that journalists should be aware of. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) investigates the safety risks associated with this messaging app and how best to use it safely. WhatsApp, owned by Facebook’s parent […]

Weibo is one of the most popular social media platforms in China. Like all Chinese online services, it is subject to censorship and legally bound to hand over user data to the Chinese government if requested. In this last article of a six-part series, cybersecurity expert Ben Finn explains the […]