‘Alarming’ rise in regional internet censorship in China, study finds

China’s central province of Henan has implemented stricter internet controls, blocking five times more websites than the national average, raising concerns about regional censorship. The measures were prompted by recent protests related to economic issues and health codes, which led local residents to report blocked access to external sites. Meanwhile, advancements in artificial intelligence could enhance surveillance efforts while also providing tools for circumventing censorship. Henan’s cybersecurity commission declined to comment on the expanded controls, leaving it unclear whether they stem from local or central government actions.