WeChat censored even neutral messages about the coronavirus
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3064832/how-wechat-censored-even-neutral-messages-about-coronavirus
#china #wechat #censorship #gov #why #coronavirus
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3064832/how-wechat-censored-even-neutral-messages-about-coronavirus
#china #wechat #censorship #gov #why #coronavirus
South China Morning Post
How WeChat censored even neutral messages about the coronavirus
Hundreds of keyword combinations blocked on the social media app, Canada-based researchers find
China's influence via WeChat is 'flying under the radar' of most Western democracies
China's United Front Work Department performs its 'biggest magic' through WeChat. Is it time to rein in its covert influence? Should it even be banned?
China's WeChat, like most social networks, is a haven for disinformation and "fake news". Less well-known, at least in the West, is its role in mobilising Chinese diaspora communities to support particular political policies or people.
These activities are coordinated through a system known as the United Front, a network of party and state agencies that are responsible for influencing purportedly independent groups outside the Chinese Communist Party.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/chinas-influence-via-wechat-is-flying-under-the-radar-of-most-western-democracies/
https://www.smh.com.au/world/united-front-chinas-important-magic-weapon-20171129-gzv562.html
https://globalnews.ca/news/6858818/coronavirus-china-united-front-canada-protective-equipment-shortage/
#china #wechat
China's United Front Work Department performs its 'biggest magic' through WeChat. Is it time to rein in its covert influence? Should it even be banned?
China's WeChat, like most social networks, is a haven for disinformation and "fake news". Less well-known, at least in the West, is its role in mobilising Chinese diaspora communities to support particular political policies or people.
These activities are coordinated through a system known as the United Front, a network of party and state agencies that are responsible for influencing purportedly independent groups outside the Chinese Communist Party.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/chinas-influence-via-wechat-is-flying-under-the-radar-of-most-western-democracies/
https://www.smh.com.au/world/united-front-chinas-important-magic-weapon-20171129-gzv562.html
https://globalnews.ca/news/6858818/coronavirus-china-united-front-canada-protective-equipment-shortage/
#china #wechat
UN-Tencent partnership raises questions of censorship and surveillance
Chinese tech sector has poor human rights reputation
At the start of April, the U.N. and Chinese technology business Tencent Holdings announced a partnership to host thousands of online conversations using Tencent's videoconferencing software, in part to ask what the world should look like in 25 years.
This sounds modern and optimistic, but the deal risks involving the U.N. in the controversial Chinese tech sector, where government intrusion through electronic surveillance is rife and censorship reigns.
These U.N. conversations are bound to touch on explosive topics -- freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the benefits and downsides of different forms of government. But on Tencent's social media app WeChat, rather than the VooV platform used for the U.N., these discussions might not be possible.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/UN-Tencent-partnership-raises-questions-of-censorship-and-surveillance
#un #censorship #surveillance #tencent #wechat
Chinese tech sector has poor human rights reputation
At the start of April, the U.N. and Chinese technology business Tencent Holdings announced a partnership to host thousands of online conversations using Tencent's videoconferencing software, in part to ask what the world should look like in 25 years.
This sounds modern and optimistic, but the deal risks involving the U.N. in the controversial Chinese tech sector, where government intrusion through electronic surveillance is rife and censorship reigns.
These U.N. conversations are bound to touch on explosive topics -- freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the benefits and downsides of different forms of government. But on Tencent's social media app WeChat, rather than the VooV platform used for the U.N., these discussions might not be possible.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/UN-Tencent-partnership-raises-questions-of-censorship-and-surveillance
#un #censorship #surveillance #tencent #wechat
Nikkei Asian Review
UN-Tencent partnership raises questions of censorship and surveillance
Chinese tech sector has poor human rights reputation
Chinese student studying in Australia was targeted by the CCP after speaking out
Even her family have been questioned by police over her criticism of the party.
China is often known for stifling free speech and preventing its citizens from expressing criticism against the country’s government online. Suppressing the opinions of its citizens doesn’t seem enough to satisfy the Chinese government, as it is now keen on making people with Chinese ethnicity living elsewhere in the world from expressing critical opinions about the country and its governance.
How is China achieving this herculean task? It is just mimicking an age-old, ancient idea known as “zhulian” that can be best defined as “implication” or “guilt by association.” Simply put, the police in China end up threatening the family members for the actions performed by their relatives living in foreign nations.
https://reclaimthenet.org/chinese-student-studying-in-australia-was-targeted-by-the-ccp/
#asia #china #wechat #surveillance #freespeech
Even her family have been questioned by police over her criticism of the party.
China is often known for stifling free speech and preventing its citizens from expressing criticism against the country’s government online. Suppressing the opinions of its citizens doesn’t seem enough to satisfy the Chinese government, as it is now keen on making people with Chinese ethnicity living elsewhere in the world from expressing critical opinions about the country and its governance.
How is China achieving this herculean task? It is just mimicking an age-old, ancient idea known as “zhulian” that can be best defined as “implication” or “guilt by association.” Simply put, the police in China end up threatening the family members for the actions performed by their relatives living in foreign nations.
https://reclaimthenet.org/chinese-student-studying-in-australia-was-targeted-by-the-ccp/
#asia #china #wechat #surveillance #freespeech
Reclaim The Net
Chinese student studying in Australia was targeted by the CCP after speaking out
Even her family have been questioned by police over her criticism of the party.
We Chat, They Watch
How International Users Unwittingly Build up WeChat’s Chinese Censorship Apparatus
Key Findings
📝 We present results from technical experiments which reveal that WeChat communications conducted entirely among non-China-registered accounts are subject to pervasive content surveillance that was previously thought to be exclusively reserved for China-registered accounts.
📝 Documents and images transmitted entirely among non-China-registered accounts undergo content surveillance wherein these files are analyzed for content that is politically sensitive in China.
📝 Upon analysis, files deemed politically sensitive are used to invisibly train and build up WeChat’s Chinese political censorship system.
📝 From public information, it is unclear how Tencent uses non-Chinese-registered users’ data to enable content blocking or which policy rationale permits the sharing of data used for blocking between international and China regions of WeChat.
📝 Tencent’s responses to data access requests failed to clarify how data from international users is used to enable political censorship of the platform in China.
https://citizenlab.ca/2020/05/we-chat-they-watch/
#asia #china #tencent #wechat
How International Users Unwittingly Build up WeChat’s Chinese Censorship Apparatus
Key Findings
📝 We present results from technical experiments which reveal that WeChat communications conducted entirely among non-China-registered accounts are subject to pervasive content surveillance that was previously thought to be exclusively reserved for China-registered accounts.
📝 Documents and images transmitted entirely among non-China-registered accounts undergo content surveillance wherein these files are analyzed for content that is politically sensitive in China.
📝 Upon analysis, files deemed politically sensitive are used to invisibly train and build up WeChat’s Chinese political censorship system.
📝 From public information, it is unclear how Tencent uses non-Chinese-registered users’ data to enable content blocking or which policy rationale permits the sharing of data used for blocking between international and China regions of WeChat.
📝 Tencent’s responses to data access requests failed to clarify how data from international users is used to enable political censorship of the platform in China.
https://citizenlab.ca/2020/05/we-chat-they-watch/
#asia #china #tencent #wechat
The Citizen Lab
We Chat, They Watch: How International Users Unwittingly Build up WeChat’s Chinese Censorship Apparatus - The Citizen Lab
WeChat communications conducted entirely among non-China-registered accounts are subject to pervasive content surveillance that was previously thought to be exclusively reserved for China-registered accounts.
Tencent’s WeChat cuts off service in India amid the country’s ban on Chinese apps
Super app WeChat, the multipurpose messaging and social media platform run by internet giant Tencent Holdings, has ceased operations in India weeks after a previously announced ban, dealing a blow to the millions of Indian users who use the app for personal and business reasons.
Tencent and other Chinese app operators have had no option but to fall in line with India’s ban, at a time when they also find themselves under increasing pressure from the Trump administration in the US over privacy and censorship issues.
India on Monday banned 47 more Chinese apps after blocking 59 others over privacy and national security concerns, according to an information ministry official and media reports.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/apps-social/article/3094834/tencents-wechat-cuts-service-india-amid-countrys-ban-chinese-apps
#asia #india #tencent #wechat
Super app WeChat, the multipurpose messaging and social media platform run by internet giant Tencent Holdings, has ceased operations in India weeks after a previously announced ban, dealing a blow to the millions of Indian users who use the app for personal and business reasons.
Tencent and other Chinese app operators have had no option but to fall in line with India’s ban, at a time when they also find themselves under increasing pressure from the Trump administration in the US over privacy and censorship issues.
India on Monday banned 47 more Chinese apps after blocking 59 others over privacy and national security concerns, according to an information ministry official and media reports.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/apps-social/article/3094834/tencents-wechat-cuts-service-india-amid-countrys-ban-chinese-apps
#asia #india #tencent #wechat
South China Morning Post
WeChat cuts off service in India amid the country’s ban on Chinese apps
The stakes are high for Tencent to comply with the ban because at least 10 of the company’s apps have been blacklisted in India, including QQ Mail, QQ Music and short-video platform Kwai.
Exclusive: Urged on by central bank, China weighs antitrust probe into Alipay, WeChat Pay - sources
SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China’s top antitrust agency is looking at whether to launch a probe into Alipay and WeChat Pay, prompted by the central bank which argues the digital payment giants have used their dominant positions to quash competition, sources with knowledge of the matter said.
The State Council’s anti-trust committee has been gathering information on Alipay, owned by Ant Group which in turn is an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N), as well as on Tencent Holdings Ltd’s (0700.HK) WeChat Pay for more than a month, they said.
Any investigation would likely dampen enthusiasm for Ant Group’s planned dual listing in Hong Kong and Shanghai that is seeking a valuation of more than $200 billion.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alipay-wechat-pay-china-exclusive/exclusive-urged-on-by-central-bank-china-weighs-antitrust-probe-into-alipay-wechat-pay-sources-idUSKCN24W0XD
#asia #china #alipay #wechat #antitrust
SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China’s top antitrust agency is looking at whether to launch a probe into Alipay and WeChat Pay, prompted by the central bank which argues the digital payment giants have used their dominant positions to quash competition, sources with knowledge of the matter said.
The State Council’s anti-trust committee has been gathering information on Alipay, owned by Ant Group which in turn is an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N), as well as on Tencent Holdings Ltd’s (0700.HK) WeChat Pay for more than a month, they said.
Any investigation would likely dampen enthusiasm for Ant Group’s planned dual listing in Hong Kong and Shanghai that is seeking a valuation of more than $200 billion.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alipay-wechat-pay-china-exclusive/exclusive-urged-on-by-central-bank-china-weighs-antitrust-probe-into-alipay-wechat-pay-sources-idUSKCN24W0XD
#asia #china #alipay #wechat #antitrust
Reuters
Exclusive: China's central bank urges antitrust probe into Alipay, WeChat Pay - sources
SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China’s top antitrust agency is looking at whether to launch a probe into Alipay and WeChat Pay, prompted by the central bank which argues the digital payment giants have used their dominant positions to quash competition,…
WeChat users look to Japan's Line for alternative as US ban looms
As Washington scrutinizes Chinese chat giant, downloads of rival surge
PALO ALTO, U.S./HONG KONG -- After the Trump administration announced it would look into banning Chinese social media apps, much of the attention focused on TikTok, the wildly popular platform for sharing short videos. But it is far from alone.
Chinese messaging giant WeChat, owned by Tencent Holdings, has also become a target of Washington's scrutiny, and the possibility of a U.S. ban on the app is already benefiting competitors as users search for "safe" alternatives.
Li Wen is a diehard WeChat user, but when more than a dozen of her friends started setting up accounts on Line, a Japanese messaging app, in July, she decided to do the same.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/WeChat-users-look-to-Japan-s-Line-for-alternative-as-US-ban-looms
#asia #china #japan #wechat #line
As Washington scrutinizes Chinese chat giant, downloads of rival surge
PALO ALTO, U.S./HONG KONG -- After the Trump administration announced it would look into banning Chinese social media apps, much of the attention focused on TikTok, the wildly popular platform for sharing short videos. But it is far from alone.
Chinese messaging giant WeChat, owned by Tencent Holdings, has also become a target of Washington's scrutiny, and the possibility of a U.S. ban on the app is already benefiting competitors as users search for "safe" alternatives.
Li Wen is a diehard WeChat user, but when more than a dozen of her friends started setting up accounts on Line, a Japanese messaging app, in July, she decided to do the same.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/WeChat-users-look-to-Japan-s-Line-for-alternative-as-US-ban-looms
#asia #china #japan #wechat #line
Nikkei Asia
WeChat users look to Japan's Line for alternative as US ban looms
As Washington scrutinizes Chinese chat giant, downloads of rival surge
As Trump bans WeChat, some in China turn to encrypted messaging app Signal
Signal isn't blocked by the Great Firewall, unlike other encrypted messaging apps including WhatsApp and Telegram.
President Donald Trump's executive order banning American use of WeChat, the most popular app in China, takes effect next month, but some in China are already turning to an American app renowned for its privacy protections.
Downloads for Signal, an encrypted chat app that privacy advocates generally regard as best-in-class for everyday use, are spiking in China, a spokesperson for the app said Friday.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/trump-bans-wechat-some-china-turn-encrypted-messaging-app-signal-n1236184
#us #china #wechat #signal #messaging
Signal isn't blocked by the Great Firewall, unlike other encrypted messaging apps including WhatsApp and Telegram.
President Donald Trump's executive order banning American use of WeChat, the most popular app in China, takes effect next month, but some in China are already turning to an American app renowned for its privacy protections.
Downloads for Signal, an encrypted chat app that privacy advocates generally regard as best-in-class for everyday use, are spiking in China, a spokesperson for the app said Friday.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/trump-bans-wechat-some-china-turn-encrypted-messaging-app-signal-n1236184
#us #china #wechat #signal #messaging
NBC News
As Trump bans WeChat, some in China turn to encrypted messaging app Signal
Signal isn't blocked by the Great Firewall, unlike other encrypted messaging apps including WhatsApp and Telegram.
China social media: WeChat and the Surveillance State
China's WeChat is a site for social interaction, a form of currency, a dating app, a tool for sporting teams and deliverer of news: Twitter, Facebook, Googlemaps, Tinder and Apple Pay all rolled into one. But it is also an ever more powerful weapon of social control for the Chinese government.
I've just been locked out of WeChat (or Weixin 微信 as it is known in Chinese) and, to get back on, have had to pass through some pretty Orwellian steps - steps which have led others to question why I went along with it.
One reason is that life in Beijing would be extremely difficult without WeChat. The other is that I could not have written this piece without experiencing the stages which have now clearly put my image, and even my voice, on some sort of biometric database of troublemakers.
https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-48552907
#Asia #China #WeChat #surveillance
China's WeChat is a site for social interaction, a form of currency, a dating app, a tool for sporting teams and deliverer of news: Twitter, Facebook, Googlemaps, Tinder and Apple Pay all rolled into one. But it is also an ever more powerful weapon of social control for the Chinese government.
I've just been locked out of WeChat (or Weixin 微信 as it is known in Chinese) and, to get back on, have had to pass through some pretty Orwellian steps - steps which have led others to question why I went along with it.
One reason is that life in Beijing would be extremely difficult without WeChat. The other is that I could not have written this piece without experiencing the stages which have now clearly put my image, and even my voice, on some sort of biometric database of troublemakers.
https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-48552907
#Asia #China #WeChat #surveillance
Trump Says ‘Whatever’ And Isn’t Worried That Banning WeChat Will Kill iPhone Sales In China
With the impending ban on US companies doing business with the likes of WeChat, multiple American companies have expressed concerns about what it will mean for their business in China.
WeChat is a big deal there, not only offering chat services but also being how much of the country handles payments and other daily tasks. Apple, Disney, and others have concerns, but President Trump doesn’t care.
https://www.redmondpie.com/trump-says-whatever-and-isnt-worried-that-banning-wechat-will-kill-iphone-sales-in-china/
95% Of Chinese Users Say They Will Ditch Their iPhones If WeChat Is Banned
https://www.redmondpie.com/95-of-chinese-users-say-they-will-ditch-their-iphones-if-wechat-is-banned/
#US #Asia #China #Apple #iPhone #WeChat #Tencent
With the impending ban on US companies doing business with the likes of WeChat, multiple American companies have expressed concerns about what it will mean for their business in China.
WeChat is a big deal there, not only offering chat services but also being how much of the country handles payments and other daily tasks. Apple, Disney, and others have concerns, but President Trump doesn’t care.
https://www.redmondpie.com/trump-says-whatever-and-isnt-worried-that-banning-wechat-will-kill-iphone-sales-in-china/
95% Of Chinese Users Say They Will Ditch Their iPhones If WeChat Is Banned
https://www.redmondpie.com/95-of-chinese-users-say-they-will-ditch-their-iphones-if-wechat-is-banned/
#US #Asia #China #Apple #iPhone #WeChat #Tencent
Redmond Pie
Trump Says 'Whatever' And Isn't Worried That Banning WeChat Will Kill iPhone Sales In China
With the impending ban on US companies doing business with the likes of WeChat, multiple American companies have expressed concerns about what it will mean for their business in China.
Forwarded from BlackBox (Security) Archiv
Breaking: USA bans WeChat and TikTok from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store
Starting from September 20, 2020
The US Commerce Department has announced prohibitions banning people in the US from downloading TikTok and WeChat in reponse to a pair of executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump in August.
In a press release on the matter, the US Department of Commerce noted: “The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has demonstrated the means and motives to use these apps to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and the economy of the U.S. Today’s announced prohibitions, when combined, protect users in the U.S. by eliminating access to these applications and significantly reducing their functionality.”
Speaking on the matter, US Department of Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, was quoted saying, “Today’s actions prove once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to guarantee our national security and protect Americans from the threads of the Chinese Communist Party…At the President’s direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations.”
The new prohibitions on TikTok and WeChat will go into effect on September 20th, 2020. As part of the new directive, the following transactions are prohibited:
1. Any provision of service to distribute or maintain the WeChat or TikTok mobile applications, constituent code, or application updates through an online mobile application store in the U.S.
2. Any provision of services through the WeChat mobile application for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the U.S.
👀 👉🏼 https://www.xda-developers.com/usa-bans-wechat-tiktok-google-play-store-apple-app-store/
#usa #ban #tiktok #wechat #DeleteTikTok #bytedance
📡@cRyPtHoN_INFOSEC_DE
📡@cRyPtHoN_INFOSEC_EN
📡@BlackBox_Archiv
📡@NoGoolag
Starting from September 20, 2020
The US Commerce Department has announced prohibitions banning people in the US from downloading TikTok and WeChat in reponse to a pair of executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump in August.
In a press release on the matter, the US Department of Commerce noted: “The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has demonstrated the means and motives to use these apps to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and the economy of the U.S. Today’s announced prohibitions, when combined, protect users in the U.S. by eliminating access to these applications and significantly reducing their functionality.”
Speaking on the matter, US Department of Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, was quoted saying, “Today’s actions prove once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to guarantee our national security and protect Americans from the threads of the Chinese Communist Party…At the President’s direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations.”
The new prohibitions on TikTok and WeChat will go into effect on September 20th, 2020. As part of the new directive, the following transactions are prohibited:
1. Any provision of service to distribute or maintain the WeChat or TikTok mobile applications, constituent code, or application updates through an online mobile application store in the U.S.
2. Any provision of services through the WeChat mobile application for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the U.S.
👀 👉🏼 https://www.xda-developers.com/usa-bans-wechat-tiktok-google-play-store-apple-app-store/
#usa #ban #tiktok #wechat #DeleteTikTok #bytedance
📡@cRyPtHoN_INFOSEC_DE
📡@cRyPtHoN_INFOSEC_EN
📡@BlackBox_Archiv
📡@NoGoolag
XDA Developers
[Update: Temp. relief] USA bans WeChat and TikTok from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store
The US Department of Commerce has announced prohibitions on transactions related to WeChat and TikTok, effectively removing the apps from distribution.
Forget TikTok. China’s Powerhouse App Is WeChat, and Its Power Is Sweeping.
A vital connection for the Chinese diaspora, the app has also become a global conduit of Chinese state propaganda, surveillance and intimidation. The United States has proposed banning it.
Just after the 2016 presidential election in the United States, Joanne Li realized the app that connected her to fellow Chinese immigrants had disconnected her from reality.
Everything she saw on the Chinese app, WeChat, indicated Donald J. Trump was an admired leader and impressive businessman. She believed it was the unquestioned consensus on the newly elected American president. “But then I started talking to some foreigners about him, non-Chinese,” she said. “I was totally confused.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/technology/wechat-china-united-states.html
#US #China #WeChat #surveillance
A vital connection for the Chinese diaspora, the app has also become a global conduit of Chinese state propaganda, surveillance and intimidation. The United States has proposed banning it.
Just after the 2016 presidential election in the United States, Joanne Li realized the app that connected her to fellow Chinese immigrants had disconnected her from reality.
Everything she saw on the Chinese app, WeChat, indicated Donald J. Trump was an admired leader and impressive businessman. She believed it was the unquestioned consensus on the newly elected American president. “But then I started talking to some foreigners about him, non-Chinese,” she said. “I was totally confused.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/technology/wechat-china-united-states.html
#US #China #WeChat #surveillance
Six California WeChat users sue Tencent for alleged chat surveillance
A group of California WeChat users sued Tencent Holdings Ltd., the Chinese owner of the messaging and payment app, for allegedly violating their right to privacy by surveilling and censoring their communications.
Citizen Power Initiatives for China, a group promoting transition to democracy in China, and six anonymous WeChat users said comments made using WeChat that can be perceived as critical of the Chinese government have led to the users’ accounts being frozen, causing them to be cut off from friends and relatives in China as well as their business clients in the U.S.
“All this chills constitutionally protected speech,” according to the complaint filed Friday in California state court in San Jose. “Indeed, many WeChat users have told CPIFC that they feel real fear that the Party-state or its agents will retaliate against them or their family, and that, as a result, they self-censor, despite the fact that they live in California.”
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-01-11/california-wechat-users-sue-tencent-for-alleged-surveillance
#US #California #China #tencent #wechat #surveillance #privacy
A group of California WeChat users sued Tencent Holdings Ltd., the Chinese owner of the messaging and payment app, for allegedly violating their right to privacy by surveilling and censoring their communications.
Citizen Power Initiatives for China, a group promoting transition to democracy in China, and six anonymous WeChat users said comments made using WeChat that can be perceived as critical of the Chinese government have led to the users’ accounts being frozen, causing them to be cut off from friends and relatives in China as well as their business clients in the U.S.
“All this chills constitutionally protected speech,” according to the complaint filed Friday in California state court in San Jose. “Indeed, many WeChat users have told CPIFC that they feel real fear that the Party-state or its agents will retaliate against them or their family, and that, as a result, they self-censor, despite the fact that they live in California.”
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-01-11/california-wechat-users-sue-tencent-for-alleged-surveillance
#US #California #China #tencent #wechat #surveillance #privacy
Los Angeles Times
Six California WeChat users sue Tencent for alleged chat surveillance
A small group of WeChat users in California filed a complaint Friday alleging chat comments that can be viewed as critical of the Chinese government have led to their accounts being frozen. They want to pursue their claims as a class action.