Digital authoritarianism goes global (feat. Michael Caster)

Last week, we heard from Michael Caster, head of the Global China Program at Article 19, who walked us through China’s legal architecture—from its Cybersecurity Law to the growing power of the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC—and how these institutions are being exported across the Indo-Pacific. We also discussed how Beijing’s approach is not just about controlling information but about shaping the global narrative on digital governance.

If you missed it, it’s definitely worth going back to hear how data localization, real-name registration, and the legal groundwork for internet shutdowns are being normalized under the guise of national security.

Today, we pick up where we left off—examining what these digital norms with “Chinese characteristics” look like in practice, and how countries in the region are responding.