Chinese Internet Police are Astroturfing
In my view, such underhanded tactics could be more dangerous than efforts at blocking content. When a website that might contain "objectionable" material is blocked, it is clear to the web surfer that the government is behind it. When that same surfer reads a discussion on an online forum, they can never be certain that the voice crying out for "moderation" is heartfelt, or whether they are a government shill.
Astroturfing is a natural tactic for anyone who doesn't care about, or who actively opposes, democracy.
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