Popular Apps Banned in China: An Overview
With over 989 million internet users, China is a massive market for tech companies globally. However, there are some well-known apps that have been banned from China. Here are some of the reasons why these popular apps are banned in China.
1. Facebook
Facebook has been banned in China since 2009. The Chinese government blocks access to social media platforms that allow users to create and share content without censorship. Facebook was banned as it allowed citizens to organize political protests, which the Chinese government opposes.
2. Twitter
Twitter is also banned in China. Similarly to Facebook, Twitter was banned for its potential to instigate political upheaval and organize protests. However, Chinese officials use the platform to share propaganda and pro-government content.
3. Google
Google is a search engine that was banned in China in 2010. The Chinese government blocks sites that contain sensitive information and content that is politically sensitive. An alternative search engine, Baidu, has replaced Google in China.
4. WhatsApp
WhatsApp was banned in 2017, and this ban was a reaction to the build-up of public discontent across China, which chiefly caused by WhatsApp’s encrypted messaging capabilities that allows users to share messages that cannot be traced or censored.
5. TikTok
TikTok is a relatively new app, and we all know it. This app worked under the name of Musical.ly earlier but changed its name to TikTok. This app is facing some issues lately due to the fact that its vulnerability to the spread of explicit content and it doesn’t comply with Chinese Cybersecurity laws. One possible reason is that the app was accused of spreading videos that were low-levelled, mocking the country’s security measures.
The Bottom Line
These popular apps were removed from China due to various reasons, and although some have been replaced by Chinese alternatives, those that do not comply with Chinese censorship laws are unlikely to be allowed to operate in the country. This is a reflection of the strict approach taken by the Chinese authorities regarding freedom of speech and censorship. As the global community becomes more interconnected, it is an issue that is likely to remain contentious for years to come.
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