WhatsApp, a popular messaging service, is now working for some users in China, despite being banned by the government for years. This is a surprising development in a country known for having strict internet restrictions.
Normally, people in China use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access WhatsApp. But recently, users in Beijing and Shanghai have reported being able to send and receive messages on the app without needing VPNs. However, other social media platforms like Signal and Instagram are still blocked in the country.
It is unclear how many people in China have been able to use WhatsApp during this time. The news has not gained much attention on domestic social media platforms like Weibo. WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms Inc, is not as popular in China as local apps like WeChat, which has over a billion users.
The Chinese government has blocked WhatsApp since 2017
Representatives for WhatsApp have chosen not to comment on this development. Similarly, the Cyberspace Administration of China has not responded to inquiries about the situation.
The Chinese government has banned foreign messaging and social media platforms to control content and prevent potential dissent. This has led to the dominance of local platforms like WeChat and Weibo. Despite the ban, some Chinese users still use VPNs to access Western media.
WhatsApp messages are encrypted, making them difficult to monitor or censor. This may be one of the reasons why the app has been able to function in China despite the ban.
In the past, there have been reports of users in China being able to access blocked services and websites temporarily due to network glitches. However, this recent incident of consistent WhatsApp usage in Beijing and Shanghai for over two weeks is considered unusual.
Spike emerged after Apple removed the app from its store
The two-week period coincided with Apple Inc’s removal of WhatsApp and other social media apps from its Chinese app store. This decision was made in response to Beijing’s orders to close loopholes in the country’s internet firewall.
This development raises questions about the effectiveness of China’s internet restrictions and the future of messaging apps in the country. It also highlights the challenges faced by foreign tech companies operating in China.
As of now, it remains to be seen whether the access to WhatsApp in China will continue or if it is just a temporary glitch in the system. Despite the ban, some users in the country are enjoying unrestricted access to the popular messaging service.
