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Digital Planet: China’s online restrictions increase

Factual: Science & Nature

Chinese flag displayed on laptop screen, plus smartphone with block symbol displayed

30/03/2021 GMT

China’s online restrictions increase

BBC World Service - Digital Planet, China’s online restrictions increase

China’s restrictions online increase during COVID19 says new research

China’s online restrictions increase.  Also Cellulose Electronic Thread that could lead to healthcare monitoring by our clothes and Evil Corp – the board game of tech giants.

The Chinese government’s highly restricted approach to online freedom of expression has intensified during the COVID pandemic – not surprising maybe, but the implication of this on Chinese citizens and countries across Asia is significant.  That’s one of the findings of research published by Chatham House.  Harriet Moynihan, from the International Law Programme at Chatham House, is one of the authors of the paper and joins us on the show.

Cellulose Electronic Thread
For electronic textiles to enter the market on a large scale they need to be sustainable. Now scientists at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed thread made from conductive cellulose, which can be threaded through a sewing machine. The sewn garments can even be washed in a machine.  Sustainable wearable tech would massively reduce electronic waste and could also lead to better healthcare monitoring eg blood pressure or heart rate of the person wearing the smart clothes. Sozan Darabi explains how they developed the thread and how she had to use her sewing skills to create the outfits.

Evil Corp – the board game of tech giants
Fancy becoming a tech billionaire who can save the world?  Well you can by playing a new board game called “Evil Corp”.  The game allows you to play as one of 6 Evil CEO billionaires intent on accruing billions of dollars and start-ups.  The aim is to “Save the World, No Matter the Cost”.  The games’ inventor Alfie Dennon says he wants us to think about the power tech tycoons have over our everyday lives online, in how we shop, work and play. 

Image: Chinese flag displayed on laptop screen, plus smartphone with block symbol displayed
Credit: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson. 

Studio Manager: Giles Aspen
Producers: Emil Petrie and Ania Lichtarowicz

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