Public trust in both government and corporations is low, and deservedly so.

In the Internet age, it is inevitable that corporations and government agencies will have access to detailed information about people's lives.

The Chinese government clearly does pay attention to public opinion expressed on the Internet - the extent to which they choose to adapt their practices based on it, or ignore it, seems to vary.

Whatever Tencent can see, the Chinese government can see.

The Chinese government sometimes shuts down the Internet and mobile services in specific areas where unrest occurs.

Like Syria, the government of Bahrain employs aggressive tactics to censor and monitor its people's online activity.