Thailand issues warning over Clubhouse as dissidents flock to audio app
- Clubhouse, which lets users host audio chats, has surged in popularity recently, especially after Tesla’s Elon Musk appeared on it last month
- The Thai Digital Minister says political groups on the app are distorting information and potentially violating laws
Digital minister Puttipong Punnakanta said the Thai authorities were watching Clubhouse users, and political groups on the app were distorting information and potentially violating laws.
Clubhouse, launched last year, lets users host audio chats. It has surged in popularity in the past couple of months, especially after Tesla CEO Elon Musk appeared on it last month.
“What needs to be spoken will be spoken. It is risky but it must be encouraged, as the more we speak about it the more such discussions become the norm,” Pavin, who had gained more than 70,000 followers in his first five days on the app, told Reuters. “These exercises help boost courage.”
Youth protests last year focused on demands for reforms to the royal system in Thailand, a subject long considered taboo. Since the protests started, at least 59 people have been summoned or charged under Thailand’s “lese-majesty” law against insulting or defaming the king.
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