Two well-known Chinese bloggers living abroad reported that authorities are looking into the activities of their large number of followers on global social media networks. This reflects a heightened effort by Beijing to suppress dissenting voices, even beyond its borders.

Journalist Wang Zhi’an and dissident Li Ying, both Chinese citizens known for sharing unfiltered Chinese news, took to social media on Sunday to inform their followers that the police were questioning those who follow them. They advised their followers to be cautious by unfollowing their accounts, changing their usernames, avoiding Chinese-made phones, and preparing for possible interrogation.

Teacher Li, also referred to as Li Ying, gained attention for providing updates on the White Paper demonstrations, an uncommon occurrence of dissent against the Chinese government in 2022. @whyyoutouzhele, Teacher Li’s profile on the platform formerly known as Twitter, now shares content from users such as news and videos, spanning various topics including local protests and banned real-life footage on the Chinese web.

Teacher Li advised his followers to unfollow his account in a post on Sunday evening. He also mentioned that the public security bureau is currently reviewing all 1.6 million of his followers and the comments on his posts individually.

Li posted images of personal conversations he was sent by followers during the previous several months. These messages alleged that authorities had questioned some people and that one individual had been fired as a result.

As of Monday afternoon, Li’s follower count on X had decreased to 1.4 million.

Although they are restricted in China, social media platforms such as X and YouTube can still be reached through the use of software that bypasses the government’s censorship measures.

Wang, with a one million strong following on X and 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube, instructed his fans to unfollow him.

Li, Wang, and the Chinese foreign ministry did not promptly reply to inquiries for their statements.

In recent years, the Chinese government has taken measures to restrict criticism on social media platforms in Beijing. This includes the use of many censoring individuals, both within private enterprises and within the government itself.

Chinese individuals who share dissenting views on the internet have shared instances of being subjected to harassment, questioning, and pressure from law enforcement. This has resulted in some individuals being summoned for interrogation and later instructed to remove certain posts or shut down their accounts. In more severe cases, individuals have been arrested and detained, with limited few facing lengthy prison sentences.

Beijing has expanded its surveillance efforts to encompass platforms outside of China, such as Facebook, Telegram, and X. Leaked documents from I-Soon, a private contractor connected to China’s top law enforcement agency and other government entities, revealed tools used by Chinese police to inhibit dissent on international social media. This includes a tool specifically designed to monitor X users.

Unexpectedly,

According to leaked documents, hackers developed tools that allowed law enforcement to access email accounts and reveal the identities of anonymous users on platform X. These tools were also used to monitor certain individuals, with requests being sent to a company called I-Soon. Surprisingly, this information was revealed through the leak.

Li stated that he would continue to share and post content, regardless of any followers who may unfollow him. However, he advised his followers to prioritize and practice basic precautions for online safety.

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“I don’t want you to be negatively affected simply because you wish to gain a true understanding of the news in China,” stated Li in a subsequent message. “Your only intention is to comprehend the situation, yet the cost is quite steep.”