Using social media in China?
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2018
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Using social media in China?
I’m going to China soon for a solo vacation. I was wondering if I could use my social media while in the country. I’ve heard from a friend who went to a romance tour in China that all their social media platforms were blocked. Is this actually true?
I’ll mainly be staying in Beijing, but I’d be spending some time in the province too. I don’t really mind if I can’t use my social media account, I just want to know if that’s really not allowed since I might be updating my friends and family of what I’m up to.
Most of the time I’ll be using Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. I also have other messaging tools like Viber and WhatsApp. I just want to know what other apps or sites are blocked in China just so I can prepare alternatives in case I really need it. It would be really nice if you guys could give me answers. Thanks.
I’ll mainly be staying in Beijing, but I’d be spending some time in the province too. I don’t really mind if I can’t use my social media account, I just want to know if that’s really not allowed since I might be updating my friends and family of what I’m up to.
Most of the time I’ll be using Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. I also have other messaging tools like Viber and WhatsApp. I just want to know what other apps or sites are blocked in China just so I can prepare alternatives in case I really need it. It would be really nice if you guys could give me answers. Thanks.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Here's a recent thread on the issue:
Visit To China
Visit To China
#5
Join Date: Feb 2018
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We did a decent few trips in China, and could not use FB anywhere. What was the worst was I could not use any Google product; including my gmail account; so no emails. No Google search engine etc etc. THis was most annoying and thats when I realized how hooked I was to Google
I did get a VPN service before I went there, and it did work, but it was painfully slow. and not always reliable.
Hope that helps.
I did get a VPN service before I went there, and it did work, but it was painfully slow. and not always reliable.
Hope that helps.
#8
Duckduckgo is a better substitute for Google search, it respects privacy. I pay for my main email account, I only use Google for maps and occasionally translate.
I have used Witopia's VPN for several years. I would not access my financial data on wifi networks without it.
I have used Witopia's VPN for several years. I would not access my financial data on wifi networks without it.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Please note that the Chinese government has just re-announced its intention of blocking all foreign VPNs from March 1. (Businesses wishing to have access to the vast amounts of data blocked by the Great Firewall will have to install a dedicated line, bought from the people who will, of course, be able to monitor it themselves.)
#10
What a repressive government!!!!
Anyone who gets around "the system", whether or VPN or other device, should still beware, not to utter certain "trigger words", such as "Dalai Lama", "Falun Gong",
"Tianamen Square", or the like, unless one really enjoys chatting with the secret police for a couple days.
Anyone who gets around "the system", whether or VPN or other device, should still beware, not to utter certain "trigger words", such as "Dalai Lama", "Falun Gong",
"Tianamen Square", or the like, unless one really enjoys chatting with the secret police for a couple days.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Hold on. I was in China in September and used fb where we were, Beijing and Xian with no issues. I sent and received texts and emails too. I did not use a VPN. I have Verizon and paid about $10.00 per day for calls, text and data as per my plan in the US.