China restricts activists' social media ahead of Olympics

Human rights activists and academics in China say their WeChat accounts are being restricted, a move believed to be related to silencing opposition during the upcoming Winter Olympics. — AP Photo

Human rights activists and some academics in China have had their WeChat messaging app accounts restricted in recent weeks, multiple people affected have told AFP, as Beijing cracks down on dissent before the Winter Olympics.

China hopes to make next week's Games a soft power triumph, although the lead-up has seen some Western powers launch a diplomatic boycott over Beijing's rights record and cybersecurity firms warn athletes of digital surveillance risks.