{"id":524,"date":"2023-10-24T03:58:46","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T19:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/2023\/10\/24\/china-blocks-whatsapp-features-in-crackdown-on-messaging-app\/"},"modified":"2023-10-24T03:58:46","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T19:58:46","slug":"china-blocks-whatsapp-features-in-crackdown-on-messaging-app","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/china-blocks-whatsapp-features-in-crackdown-on-messaging-app\/","title":{"rendered":"China Blocks WhatsApp Features In Crackdown On Messaging App"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p>WhatsApp users on mainland China reported partially restored functions on Wednesday after experiencing trouble using the instant messaging tool on Tuesday. Some users now appear to be able to send sound clips and photos, after reports of service disruptio<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>WhatsApp users on mainland China reported partially restored functions on Wednesday after experiencing trouble using the instant messaging tool on Tuesday.&nbsp;Some users now appear to be able to send sound clips and photos, after reports of service disruptions a day earlier.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FopXz6xg4y5Gnp6Y3R1k3Y1XpZ77?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"619\" height=\"387\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><font>Some mainland mobile network users reported on Tuesday that they could not send and receive multimedia content, though the app\u2019s text messaging service appeared largely normal.<br \/><\/font><font><br \/>Chinese users had trouble using the popular WhatsApp instant messaging tool, with many fearing it is the latest victim of Beijing\u2019s internet clampdown.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font>Most of the affected users said they could not send or receive photos using the chat app, which is owned by Facebook, without a virtual private network.<\/font><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FqHl0IC1ivG62J6ADkThujMm3G7y?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"620\" height=\"413\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/china-blocks-whatsapp-features-in-crackdown-on-messaging-app\/#In_China_WhatsApp_is_used_by_a_relatively_smaller_number_of_people_than_Tencent_Holdings_Ltds_WeChat_but_its_preferred_by_some_because_its_deemed_to_be_less_closely_monitored_than_its_Chinese_rival_%E2%80%94_Reuters_Photo_thestar\" title=\"In China, WhatsApp is used by a relatively smaller number of people than Tencent Holdings Ltd\u2019s WeChat, but it\u2019s preferred by some because it\u2019s deemed to be less closely monitored than its Chinese rival. \u2014 Reuters Photo:thestar\">In China, WhatsApp is used by a relatively smaller number of people than Tencent Holdings Ltd\u2019s WeChat, but it\u2019s preferred by some because it\u2019s deemed to be less closely monitored than its Chinese rival. \u2014 Reuters Photo:thestar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/china-blocks-whatsapp-features-in-crackdown-on-messaging-app\/#WhatsApp_which_was_acquired_by_Facebook_in_2014_is_favoured_by_some_Chinese_users_for_its_end-to-end_encryption_Image_Reuters\" title=\"WhatsApp, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, is favoured by some Chinese users for its end-to-end encryption. Image: Reuters\">WhatsApp, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, is favoured by some Chinese users for its end-to-end encryption. Image: Reuters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/china-blocks-whatsapp-features-in-crackdown-on-messaging-app\/#Image_TheTruthSpy\" title=\"Image:TheTruthSpy\">Image:TheTruthSpy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/china-blocks-whatsapp-features-in-crackdown-on-messaging-app\/#Image_Global_eCommerce_Leaders_Forum\" title=\"Image:Global eCommerce Leaders Forum\">Image:Global eCommerce Leaders Forum<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_China_WhatsApp_is_used_by_a_relatively_smaller_number_of_people_than_Tencent_Holdings_Ltds_WeChat_but_its_preferred_by_some_because_its_deemed_to_be_less_closely_monitored_than_its_Chinese_rival_%E2%80%94_Reuters_Photo_thestar\"><\/span>In China, WhatsApp is used by a relatively smaller number of people than Tencent Holdings Ltd\u2019s WeChat, but it\u2019s preferred by some because it\u2019s deemed to be less closely monitored than its Chinese rival. \u2014 Reuters Photo:thestar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>A spokeswoman with Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, declined to comment on the service disruption on the mainland.<\/p>\n<p>Tests with South China Morning Post reporters stationed in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou showed different results, with Shanghai users experiencing the most difficulties on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The Post\u2019s staff members in Guangzhou found no issues sending and receiving text messages, videos, pictures and sound clips to and from local as well as overseas WhatsApp users.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"3.png\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fvi4KUMd18QHFRi9u5r262Y0UhJh?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"596\" height=\"378\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WhatsApp_which_was_acquired_by_Facebook_in_2014_is_favoured_by_some_Chinese_users_for_its_end-to-end_encryption_Image_Reuters\"><\/span>WhatsApp, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, is favoured by some Chinese users for its end-to-end encryption. Image: Reuters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>But in Beijing, while reporters could receive most multimedia content, but the transmission of photos still seemed to be a hit-and-miss. Some pictures sent from overseas users could be displayed only as pixelated previews and could not be downloaded in full size.<\/p>\n<p>Tests with two users in Shanghai using local mobile networks failed to send and receive pictures. A staff member also failed to register to use WhatsApp with a local mobile phone number.<\/p>\n<p>Some users said they could not get WhatsApp to connect to the internet on Tuesday without a VPN.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"4.png\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fou68GLEClOeSX2W0VQzEmug3Efh?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"640\" height=\"354\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Image_TheTruthSpy\"><\/span>Image:TheTruthSpy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>In a test conducted by the South China Morning Post in the afternoon, two users registered with mainland Chinese mobile numbers were unable to send videos or pictures to each other via WhatsApp.<\/p>\n<p>One of the users then tried, and failed, to send the video and photo files to an overseas number. When that person tried to send a photo to the mainland Chinese user from overseas, the message was \u00adreceived but the photo was only displayed as a loading thumbnail.<\/p>\n<p>There was no problem sending and receiving text messages, and all services appeared normal when connected to a VPN.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"55.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FoIueCQv4gc30i65fFqqeesWsPzv?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"600\" height=\"433\" title=\"\"><\/i><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Image_Global_eCommerce_Leaders_Forum\"><\/span>Image:Global eCommerce Leaders Forum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>WeChat, however, which is owned by tech giant Tencent, has been found to be censoring messages deemed sensitive by Beijing without notifying its users, according to reports by Toronto-based Citizen Lab.<\/p>\n<p>A member of a non-governmental labour welfare group in Shenzhen, who did not wish to be named, told the Post he had been unable to use Whats\u00adApp since 8am, but other apps on his phone, including WeChat, were fine. He regularly uses WhatsApp to communicate for work as the messages are encrypted. \u201cWhatsApp is much safer than WeChat,\u201d he said. \u201cToday I didn\u2019t talk to my colleagues at all. It\u2019s very confusing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nadim Kobeissi, a cryptography researcher looking at the WhatsApp problems, told the AP picture and voice messages appeared to be blocked, but that text was still working.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It is highly unlikely Chinese authorities could circumvent WhatsApp&#8217;s encryption to read or alter sent messages, as they can in WeChat, Kobeissi said. But other researchers suggested the Government could eventually block WhatsApp altogether. <\/p>\n<hr>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"GIC.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FlXXlKXBxtykYAuKbjvAxKMwIbVH?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" width=\"450\" height=\"488.9643463497453\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WhatsApp users on mainland China reported partially restored functions on Wednesday after experiencing trouble using the instant messaging tool on Tuesday. Some users now appear to be able to send &#8230;","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=524"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/524\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}