Telegram is a leading cloud-based instant messages platform. It became popular in recent years for its privacy, speed, voice and video quality, and other unmatched features over its main competitor Whatsapp. The public channel had more than 109,000 subscribers, Judge Hui said. Ng had the power to remove or amend the messages in the channel, but he “allowed them to exist.” But a Telegram statement also said: "Any requests related to political censorship or limiting human rights such as the rights to free speech or assembly are not and will not be considered." As of Thursday, the SUCK Channel had 34,146 subscribers, with only one message dated August 28, 2020. It was an announcement stating that police had removed all posts on the channel because its content “contravenes the laws of Hong Kong.” The court said the defendant had also incited people to commit public nuisance, with messages calling on them to take part in rallies and demonstrations including at Hong Kong International Airport, to block roads and to paralyse the public transportation system. Various forms of protest promoted on the messaging platform included general strikes, lunchtime protests and silent sit-ins.
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