From FB and Twitter to Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal: how protest technology has evolved since HK’s Occupy Central

Hong Kong protesters used encrypted messenger apps to organise themselves, share intelligence and avoid police detection.

As thousands of demonstrators occupied major routes in the heart of Hong Kong on Wednesday, messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal emerged as the key tools for agitators to coordinate their operations.

Their role in the protests was highlighted when the administrator of a Telegram group was arrested for conspiracy to commit public nuisance, after police turned up at his home on Tuesday night.