Hong Kong protesters play cat and mouse with surveillance state

Anonymous messaging and cash purchases among tools used to erase digital trail

20190626 Hong Kong Protests

Protesters gather near police headquarters in Hong Kong on June 21. Many demonstrators share tips anonymously on social media on how to deal with pepper spray or other crowd control measures.    © AP

TAKESHI KIHARA and MICHELLE CHAN, Nikkei staff writers

HONG KONG -- The wave of protests that has engulfed Hong Kong over a proposed extradition law shows no sign of receding despite the authorities' decision to suspend the bill.

Now the young people who are leading the demonstrations are engaged in a game of digital cat and mouse with China's ubiquitous, high-tech surveillance network. Protesters in Hong Kong are being spurred to action by fears that the territory's freedom of speech and independent legal system are under threat.

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