https://www.scmp.com/rss/503762/feed The latest news, analysis and opinion on Telegram. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com A computer technician who ran a Telegram channel popular among protesters in Hong Kong has been jailed for 6½ years for inciting violence and vandalism during the 2019 social unrest. Ng Man-ho, 27, was sentenced in the District Court on Thursday on seven incitement charges that stemmed from 42 provocative posts published on the messaging platform’s “SUCK” channel between October 2019 and June 2020. At its peak, the channel attracted nearly 110,000 subscribers before a police crackdown in August... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3178371/telegram-channel-operator-gets-6-1/2-years-jail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3178371/telegram-channel-operator-gets-6-1/2-years-jail?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 May 2022 10:23:25 +0000 Industry figures in Hong Kong’s technology sector have said Telegram should discuss compliance measures regarding the city’s doxxing legalisation with the government, with one supporting authorities taking action against the messaging platform if it had violated the law. The push on Thursday to clamp down on doxxing came as an administrator of a channel on the app was sentenced to six and a half years in jail after he was convicted of conspiring to incite others to riot from October 2019 to June... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3178266/hong-kong-privacy-watchdog-considers-blocking-telegram?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3178266/hong-kong-privacy-watchdog-considers-blocking-telegram?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 May 2022 15:27:48 +0000 Misinformation focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine flooded social media conversations Thursday, from pro-Kremlin conspiracies spreading across Telegram to videos described as live attacks proliferating on Facebook’s gaming platform. The top videos on Facebook Gaming were described as footage of live attacks on Ukraine by Russia, some complete with red “breaking news” banners. But the clips were actually gameplay from the military-themed video game Arma 3. Meanwhile, more than 100 channels on... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3168330/facebook-and-telegram-become-tools-russia-themed-misinformation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3168330/facebook-and-telegram-become-tools-russia-themed-misinformation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Feb 2022 02:38:46 +0000 This is the second in a series of stories on image-based abuse supported by the Judith Neilson Institute’s Asian Stories project, in collaboration with The Korea Times, Indonesia’s Tempo magazine, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and Manila-based ABS-CBN. Sonia Sarkar, Tashny Sukumaran and Lee Min-young contributed reporting. The piece contains descriptions of a sexual nature. This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/long-reads/article/3135803/abuse-and-anger-inside-online-groups-spreading-stolen-sexual?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/long-reads/article/3135803/abuse-and-anger-inside-online-groups-spreading-stolen-sexual?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jun 2021 01:30:06 +0000 A second senior Australian government minister has revealed his mobile phone was hacked through the Telegram messaging app, with a media report saying the phishing scam was aimed at revealing contact details of anti-government activists in Hong Kong. Health Minister Greg Hunt’s office said in an emailed statement on Thursday that “a cybersecurity attempt to impersonate the minister has been referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and investigations are under way”. That follows Monday’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3126855/australian-ministers-targeted-phishing-scam-aimed-revealing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3126855/australian-ministers-targeted-phishing-scam-aimed-revealing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Mar 2021 01:33:50 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Until recently, Xiang Bao never had any reason to try out Telegram. The app, known for its secure messaging features, is blocked in China. But Xiang decided to give Telegram a try while looking for information on a new coronavirus spreading through the country ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in January. During the early days of the Covid-19 crisis, Xiang became one of an increasing number of internet users in China using a VPN to climb the Great... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3075804/how-telegram-became-refuge-wechat-users-during-coronavirus-outbreak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3075804/how-telegram-became-refuge-wechat-users-during-coronavirus-outbreak?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:40:18 +0000 Until recently, Xiang Bao never had any reason to try out Telegram. The app, known for its secure messaging features, is blocked in China. But Xiang decided to give Telegram a try while looking for information on a new coronavirus spreading through the country ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in January. During the early days of the Covid-19 crisis, Xiang became one of an increasing number of internet users in China using a VPN to climb the Great Firewall to get information about the deadly,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/how-telegram-became-refuge-wechat-users-during-coronavirus-outbreak/article/3075376?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/how-telegram-became-refuge-wechat-users-during-coronavirus-outbreak/article/3075376?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:40:17 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS When Tang sensed that the stock of face masks in Hong Kong was starting to dwindle two weeks ago, he saw that something else was also in short supply: Information about where to buy them and how much they cost. The deadly coronavirus outbreak has set off a scramble for the much sought-after commodity, creating lines of thousands outside shops and overwhelming shopping agents who help customers ship back overseas purchases. Tang, a college sophomore who... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3050040/30000-person-online-chat-tells-you-where-buy-masks-during?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3050040/30000-person-online-chat-tells-you-where-buy-masks-during?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Feb 2020 09:58:28 +0000 When Tang sensed that the stock of face masks in Hong Kong was starting to dwindle two weeks ago, he saw that something else was also in short supply: Information about where to buy them and how much they cost. The deadly coronavirus outbreak has set off a scramble for the much sought-after commodity, creating lines of thousands outside shops and overwhelming shopping agents who help customers ship back overseas purchases. Tang, a college sophomore who asked to be identified by his surname, had... https://www.scmp.com/culture/30000-person-online-chat-tells-you-where-buy-masks-during-coronavirus-outbreak/article/3049978?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/30000-person-online-chat-tells-you-where-buy-masks-during-coronavirus-outbreak/article/3049978?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Feb 2020 09:58:25 +0000 Is it a crime to show the location of police in an app? That’s the debate swirling around HKmap.live, a map app that crowdsources information about the location of police and protesters in Hong Kong. Police say the app allows protesters to target police in attacks, an argument that got Apple to remove the app from the iOS App Store. But the map’s developer says there’s no evidence it’s been used for this purpose. “We never encourage any illegal activity and will actively moderate user content,”... https://www.scmp.com/tech/authorities-say-police-tracking-app-illegal-developer-disagrees/article/3032966?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/authorities-say-police-tracking-app-illegal-developer-disagrees/article/3032966?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Oct 2019 14:57:18 +0000 Apple on Thursday removed from its App Store a Hong Kong location map app that tracks protests activities following a backlash from China, in an about-face after it first gave approval to the app last week. The US-based company said that the HKmap.live app, which crowdsources locations of police and anti-government protesters in the city, violated its rules as it was used to target and ambush police, victimize residents and threaten public safety. “We have learned that an app, HKmap.live, has... https://www.scmp.com/tech/apple-takes-down-hong-kong-protest-map-app-after-controversy-china/article/3032329?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/apple-takes-down-hong-kong-protest-map-app-after-controversy-china/article/3032329?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Oct 2019 08:32:29 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS “Since my personal information has been posted online, I get a lot of hidden phone calls,” said David, a victim of Hong Kong’s recent doxxing boom. David, an alias used to avoid bringing further unwanted attention, had his private information leaked on a website that targets Hong Kong protesters and anyone thought to support them.  And he’s not alone. Hundreds of people on both sides of the conflict in Hong Kong have had their sensitive personal data... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3032268/doxxing-has-become-powerful-weapon-hong-kong-protests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3032268/doxxing-has-become-powerful-weapon-hong-kong-protests?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Oct 2019 02:16:59 +0000 “Since my personal information has been posted online, I get a lot of hidden phone calls,” said David, a victim of Hong Kong’s recent doxxing boom. David, an alias used to avoid bringing further unwanted attention, had his private information leaked on a website that targets Hong Kong protesters and anyone thought to support them.  And he’s not alone. Hundreds of people on both sides of the conflict in Hong Kong have had their sensitive personal data posted online, from protesters to police,... https://www.scmp.com/culture/doxxing-has-become-powerful-weapon-hong-kong-protests/article/3030639?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/doxxing-has-become-powerful-weapon-hong-kong-protests/article/3030639?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Oct 2019 14:14:36 +0000 For the anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, privacy is a priority. The cautious steps they have taken to protect their identities include wearing masks on the streets, paying for single-trip MTR fares with cash and using encrypted messaging apps. Telegram, the most widely used app for the city’s protesters to organize and disseminate information, is moving to provide additional layers of anonymity to its users – from a new security setting that would effectively conceal their mobile phone... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/new-cryptocurrency-telegram-could-give-hong-kong-protesters-decentralized-payments/article/3025679?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/new-cryptocurrency-telegram-could-give-hong-kong-protesters-decentralized-payments/article/3025679?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Sep 2019 11:44:38 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS When thousands of protesters took to the streets in Hong Kong Wednesday to protest a controversial extradition law, many turned to Telegram to get organized. Pitched as a secure communication tool, Telegram has been used by both activists and terrorists to avoid government scrutiny. But just how secure is it really? Hang on a second, what exactly is Telegram? Telegram is a free messaging app. Just like other similar services, you can send texts, videos... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029415/why-telegram-isnt-secure-you-think?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029415/why-telegram-isnt-secure-you-think?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Jun 2019 12:47:36 +0000 Update: Telegram responds to claims that its encryption is flawed. When thousands of protesters took to the streets in Hong Kong Wednesday to protest a controversial extradition law, many turned to Telegram to get organized. Pitched as a secure communication tool, Telegram has been used by both activists and terrorists to avoid government scrutiny. But just how secure is it really? Hang on a second, what exactly is Telegram? Telegram is a free messaging app. Just like other similar services,... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/why-telegram-isnt-secure-you-think/article/3014398?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/why-telegram-isnt-secure-you-think/article/3014398?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Jun 2019 12:47:36 +0000 The first group of protesters rushed the main road shortly before 8am. Within minutes, messages started popping up on people’s phones sharing information about the location of police officers and instructions on where protesters needed reinforcements. As thousands of demonstrators stormed major routes in the heart of Hong Kong Wednesday morning, messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal became key tools for ralliers to organize their effort. High school students used encrypted messages... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3014248/how-technology-fuels-hong-kongs-protesters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3014248/how-technology-fuels-hong-kongs-protesters?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Jun 2019 00:00:14 +0000 The first group of protesters rushed the main road shortly before 8am. Within minutes, messages started popping up on people’s phones sharing information about the location of police officers and instructions on where protesters needed reinforcements. As thousands of demonstrators stormed major routes in the heart of Hong Kong Wednesday morning, messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal became key tools for ralliers to organize their effort. High school students used encrypted messages... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/how-technology-fuels-hong-kongs-protestors/article/3014133?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/how-technology-fuels-hong-kongs-protestors/article/3014133?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Jun 2019 12:15:25 +0000