Cambodian leader Hun Sen has recently endorsed a new messaging app called CoolApp, designed to compete with popular platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The app has sparked controversy, with critics suggesting it could be used by the government to monitor and suppress political discussions within the country.
Hun Sen, a long-standing figure in Cambodian politics, expressed his support for CoolApp as a means to safeguard national security and prevent foreign interference in the country's information channels. He emphasized that CoolApp is a homegrown solution tailored to the specific needs of Cambodia, similar to social media platforms in other countries like WeChat in China and Zalo in Vietnam.
Despite concerns raised by activists and opposition leaders, CoolApp's founder and CEO, Lim Cheavutha, has assured users that the app prioritizes user privacy. Lim stated that CoolApp does not monitor, collect, or store user data and employs end-to-end encryption to ensure the security of messages and calls.
However, internet freedom in Cambodia has faced setbacks under Hun Sen's leadership, with reports of censorship, media restrictions, and increased state surveillance. Critics argue that CoolApp could further enable government control over public discourse and surveillance activities.
Opposition figures living in exile have called for a boycott of CoolApp, labeling it as a tool for mass surveillance and a threat to civil liberties in Cambodia. The close relationship between the Cambodian government and China, known for its extensive surveillance network, has raised concerns about the potential misuse of CoolApp for political purposes.
As the debate over CoolApp continues, Hun Sen's endorsement of the messaging app reflects broader challenges around internet freedom and privacy in Cambodia. The app's growing popularity and its implications for free speech and political dissent remain subjects of ongoing scrutiny and debate.
