9th August 2019 – (Hong Kong) On June 13th, Telegram founder Pavel Durov claimed in a Twitter post that a massive cyber-attack on his messaging service originated from Chinese internet protocol addresses. The messaging app experienced a powerful DDoS attack flooding its servers and many wondered if the Chinese government was trying to disrupt the protests in Hong Kong.
Social media plays a significant role facilitating communication and interaction among participants of political protests. Protesters often use social media to organise demonstrations (both pro- and anti-governmental), disseminate information about their activities, and raise local and global awareness of ongoing events. In a highly developed city like Hong Kong where almost everyone is addicted to social media, protests are easily organised within a short span of time.
Research from the Project on Information Technology and Political Islam found that online revolutionary conversations often preceded mass protests on the ground, and that social media played a central role in shaping political debates in the Arab Spring.
Meanwhile in Hong Kong, one and a half month later in August, protests have evolved into highly organised flash mob attacks including non-cooperation movement, road blockages and siege of multiple police stations.
The local community has often relied on multiple Facebook groups and pages in various districts to share information and happenings. During the last two months, these pages and groups have been transformed into active forum for members to post breaking news, protest updates, anti-extradition messages, protest pictures and videos. In addition, organisers are still actively dependent on the TELEGRAM app to co-ordinate protests. They often share information and live updates using these encrypted chat groups.
Since Telegram is not end-to-end encryption as default, several tech experts have suggested Hongkongers to use signalapp instead as alternative messenger to deal with sensitive communication.
The following is the full list of Telegram chat groups used to organise protests from today till Sunday:
3-day sit-in protest at Arrival Hall, Airport Terminal 1
Date : 9th August to 11 August 2019 (Friday to Sunday)
Time : from 1pm on 9th August
Location : Arrival Hall, Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport
TELEGRAM GROUP : https://t.me/hk730air
‘Hungry Ghost festival’ gathering at night
Date : 9th August 2019 (Friday)
Time : 8pm – 11pm
Locations:
Open space opposite Sha Tin Fun City, 7 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin.
Wong Tai Sin MTR Exit D2 near bus terminus at the junction of Ching Tak Street and Shatin Pass Road.
TELEGRAM GROUP : https://t.me/chinese714
‘Safeguard the future generation’ family gathering and march
Date : 10th August 2019 (Saturday)
Time : 10.30am – 12pm
Route : Edinburgh Place to Central Government Offices.
TELEGRAM GROUP : https://t.me/childfuturehk
Tai Po march
Date : 10th August 2019 ( Saturday)
Time : 2pm (gathering) 3pm to start march
Route : Tai Po Tau Bus Terminus to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Tai Po Kwong Fuk Road Off-course Betting Branch
Organiser is currently appealing after police rejected the march.
TELEGRAM GROUP : https://t.me/TP810
Restore Wong Tai Sin march
Date : 10th August 2019 ( Saturday)
Time : 2.30pm (gathering) 3pm to start march
Route : Morse Park to Wong Tai Sin Square (Subject to change)
Organiser is currently appealing after police rejected the march.
TELEGRAM GROUP : https://t.me/taisindonteatteargas
Hong Kong Island East March
Date : 11th August 2019 (Sunday)
Time : 1.00pm (gathering) 1.30pm to start march
Route : Victoria Park to Java Road Playground (Subject to change)
TELEGRAM GROUP : https://t.me/hkeast811
Sham Shui Po march
Date : 11th August 2019 (Sunday)
Time : 2.30pm (gathering) 3pm to start march
Route : Maple Street Playground to Sham Shui Po Sports Ground
TELEGRAM GROUP : https://t.me/ssp811
