Shanghai residents use code words, video to protest Covid lockdown


A courier in a protective suit makes deliveries to a residential compound amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in Shanghai, China, on April 23, 2022. There is an unprecedented flood of complaints even on heavily censored social media platforms, where residents in China’s most populous and wealthiest city use euphemisms and post pictures upside down to get around censors. — Reuters

As a young tech professional in Shanghai, Daniel was unprepared for the April 1 Covid-19 lockdown that barred him from leaving his building, forcing him to rely on sparse government rations and a group chat on a mobile app for essential supplies.

The WeChat group of about 200 residents in his compound allows him to make group buys of meat, vegetables and rice – and gives him a ringside view of growing frustration over the city’s handling of the pandemic, with increasing expressions of dissent online.

Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

Men or bears? Women’s safety debate pops on social media
Bukit Aman: 49 cases of NSRC officer impersonation scams being investigated, RM6.79mil lost
Fahmi: WhatsApp chatbot feature being developed to combat fake news
Trucker was watching Netflix in crash that killed grandparents, US cops say. He’s charged
Google unveils AI for predicting behaviour of human molecules
Microsoft’s Xbox�is planning more cuts after studio closings
Sperm whale speech – with ‘alphabet’ – is decoded. What other animals can AI translate?
US judge grills Apple exec about whether company is defying order to enable more iPhone payment options
Fahmi: App provider Telegram ready to work together to fight digital piracy
Delivery app Getir’s rise and fall fuelled by billions of dollars and strategy conflicts

Others Also Read