This was an incredible read, and recommend to everyone and anyone. While this is a book about the internet and technology, it is most importantly about human rights. China uses the internet primarily as a weapon and a means of mass control. This observation does not come as a surprise to many, but the sophistication of their methods, the affects it has had on collectives and individuals, and the implications for the future detailed in this book ought to be absolutely shocking.

Their internet and their methods of censorship are incredible, second to none, and it is improving all the time. It is impressive what they have achieved and their effectiveness, and that is awful. This is not done with the welfare of their people in mind, but for supreme authority and the elimination of any dissent. Any criticisms from their citizens can and do end in many instances of imprisonment and torture. Not as much so, but death as well.

The crazy thing is how Russia's operations on the internet have garnered almost undivided attention, because they learn from and are far out-shadowed by China in this field. What they have is amateur in comparison, and given the power they have exerted makes that no small statement. It is not just a problem with China, they are extending their capabilities to any sympathetic government that has the capacity for implementation. And all along the way major tech companies are giving up the money and resources to strengthen these goals.

This is something that can only become worse and more pervasive with time. Read it even if this review is not compelling or lacking in eloquence, if it is then it is just a disservice to what Griffiths has achieved with this book.