LinkedIn Bows to China’s Censorship Laws, Bans Account of U.S. Journalist
By Movieguide® Staff
Axios journalist Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, who reports in China, revealed that the networking platform LinkedIn censored her work on the Chinese Communist Party.
Allen-Ebrahimian posted to Twitter that LinkedIn blocked her account in China due to undisclosed “prohibited content” on her profile.
LinkedIn did not provide specific information or content that resulted in the ban.
“I woke up this morning to discover that LinkedIn had blocked my profile in China,” Allen-Ebrahimian tweeted on Sept. 28. “I used to have to wait for Chinese govt censors, or censors employed by Chinese companies in China, to do this kind of thing. Now a U.S. company is paying its own employees to censor Americans.”
I woke up this morning to discover that LinkedIn had blocked my profile in China.
I used to have to wait for Chinese govt censors, or censors employed by Chinese companies in China, to do this kind of thing.
Now a US company is paying its own employees to censor Americans. pic.twitter.com/eRTq4u8rJl
— B. Allen-Ebrahimian (@BethanyAllenEbr) September 28, 2021
The reporter noted that LinkedIn has a history of censorship when it comes to China. According to the New York Times, LinkedIn is the only American network available in China.
Allen-Ebrahimian noted that LinkedIn’s censorship started in 2014 but increased dramatically as the CCP censorship laws become more strict.
The journalist also pointed out a “disturbing” part of LinkedIn’s message to her was their offer to help her get the checkmark from the CCP and reinstate her account.
“We will work with you to minimize the impact and can review your profile’s accessibility within China if you update the Summary section of your profile,” the platform wrote.
In response, Allen-Ebrahimian put the notice into her own words: “If I delete the offending parts of my profile, trained employees can check to see if I have self-censored enough to pass CCP regulations.”
However, the company’s vague message left the journalist wondering who flagged the content and what content warranted the banning of her account.
“Additional questions: Was this action by LinkedIn carried out as an act of preemptive self-censorship according to a list of prohibited topics, or did a Chinese government bureau contact LinkedIn about my account? If the latter, which bureau specifically?” she wrote.
Despite LinkedIn’s offer to help Allen-Ebrahimian “self-censor” her account, she confirmed on Twitter that she had not changed any information.
“Did LinkedIn specify what content on my profile was objectionable? No. Have I changed my LinkedIn profile since I received the email from LinkedIn? Haha, no,” she wrote.
A co-worker and fellow reporter, Jonathon Swan, helped spread the word of LinkedIn’s censorship on his Twitter.
“U.S. company LinkedIn now works as a censor on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, blocking my Axios colleague’s profile because of her critical reporting on the CCP,” Swan tweeted in response to the news.
US company LinkedIn now works as a censor on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, blocking my Axios colleague’s profile because of her critical reporting on the CCP. You should follow Bethany. She is a diligent, ethical reporter and we are lucky to have her at Axios. https://t.co/4yEfXojXyp
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) September 30, 2021
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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