This week, the Internet Monitor describes a new community-governed Twitter alternative called Mastodon, Russia’s ban of political talk on LiveJournal, China’s censorship of sensitive photos on WeChat, and the introduction of new Internet privacy bills in state legislation.

This week, the Internet Monitor gets the 4-1-1 on the scope of Internet shutdowns in India and around the world, discusses the future of free speech on the Internet, covers the UK’s digital counterterrorism strategy, and recommends investing in a VPN.