HONG KONG (AFP) - Hundreds of people have been arrested across Asia for posting purported false coronavirus information, according to an Agence France-Presse investigation, deepening concerns that growing government efforts to combat 'fake news' will target the wrong people and silence dissent.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
HONG KONG - Hundreds of people have been arrested across Asia for posting purported false coronavirus information, according to an Agence France-Presse investigation, deepening concerns that growing government efforts to combat"fake news" will target the wrong people and silence dissent.
At least 266 people have been arrested for posting coronavirus-related information in 10 Asian countries, from Thailand to India and Mongolia, according to an AFP tally based on police reports. A middle-aged woman in Sri Lanka spent three days in custody this week after posting a prank message on Facebook saying the president had tested positive for Covid-19, police said.
The surge in arrests in Asia focused on coronoavirus misinformation has come after various countries toughened laws or introduced new ones on so-called fake news. This is on top of the Computer Crimes Act, which has a five-year maximum jail penalty and is often used to stifle dissent online. "It is fair to state that these laws are broadly phrased and can result in arbitrary action, given India's slow judicial system that also generally displays a prosecutorial bias," he said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US approves Google request to use segment of US-Asia undersea cableWASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday (April 8) approved Alphabet unit Google's request to use part of an US-Asia undersea telecommunications cable after the company warned it would face significantly higher prices to carry traffic by other means.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
US Justice Department backs Google request to use part of US-Asia undersea cableThe U.S Justice Department on Wednesday recommended U.S. regulators approve Alphabet Inc's request to use part of an U.S.-Asia undersea ...
Read more »
US approves Google request to use segment of US-Asia undersea cableThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday approved Alphabet Inc unit Google's request to use part of an U.S.-Asia undersea ...
Read more »
Coronavirus: Indonesia ferry passengers jump ship amid virus fearsJAKARTA (REUTERS) - Several passengers on an Indonesian ferry jumped into the sea and swam ashore after authorities sought to block the vessel docking due to fears of suspected coronavirus cases, as tensions rise over the spread of the disease across the archipelago.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Coronavirus: After Trump criticism, UN chief says now not the time to assess virus responseNEW YORK (REUTERS) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday (April 8) that now was not the time to assess the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, calling instead for the international community to focus on working in solidarity to stop the virus.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Coronavirus: Virus-stricken Australian cruise ship to dock in MontevideoMONTEVIDEO (AFP) - The virus-stricken Australian cruise ship Greg Mortimer will be allowed to dock in Montevideo and the passengers will be flown home, Uruguay's foreign ministry said on Wednesday (April 8).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »