Periscope November 2019 – Smoke, Screens and Visions

Hong Kong has been plagued by ongoing “leaderless and be water” protests as protesters plan every rally with a fluid and decentralized organizational structure through the help of modern communication technologies.

Local protesters utilise communication and forum applications, such as LIHKG and Telegram, to organise protests and communicate with each other. We speak with organisers, protesters, and experts about how protest coordination is developing in this uncertain political landscape.

Simultaneous to the fast organisation on various online platforms, information is spread to the international community through news reports and social media activism. Activists are also using creative ways to illustrate the situation in Hong Kong. We talk to international activists about discussion abroad and the conflicts that accompany them.

Awareness and concerns with privacy increased following the rapid dissemination of information. Many protesters use extra SIM cards and are often seen in black attire and sanitary masks, even at peaceful protests. We take a look at how protesters protect their identities, the root of their distrust, and the extent of data protection from privacy laws.