How Facebook became the ‘tool of dictators’ in Asia’s teetering democracies

As Facebook continues to fend off searing criticism over the Cambridge Analytica data harvesting scandal, it is now coming under fire in Asia over claims it is being exploited by political strongmen and dictatorial regimes, intent on crushing dissent and manipulating public opinion. 

An obscure ongoing legal case against the social media giant, filed by an exiled Cambodian leader in a Californian court, is set to have major implications for how the company will define itself in a region where free speech, the independent media and democracy is often under siege. 

At the centre of the case is an allegation by opposition activist Sam Rainsy, 67, that Cambodian leader, Hun Sen, 65, bought fake Facebook…

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