Is the use of VPN in China dangerous?

The Chinese government does not punish any tourists for the use of VPNs. VPNs are not illegal as far as we can tell; there are, in fact, government-owned VPNs which are allowed to work. So to stay safe in China, you can use premium VPNs, which are not among the ones the government permits. Using government-owned VPNs is risky, as they would erase any privacy.

Why is WhatsApp banned in China?

The Chinese government banned WhatsApp and other social media apps because it is convinced they are used to spread "undesirable" information. The issue here is that only the government gets to decide what is desirable or what isn't. By order of China's Computer Information Network and Information Security, Protection, and Management Regulation, apps like WhatsApp are banned in China. The regulatory body has been in existence since the advent of the Internet. However, with a VPN, you can effectively circumvent the ban and use WhatsApp, as we have established in this piece. VPNs can block the government and ISPs from monitoring your activities and, as such, will be unable to block you.

What other countries have banned WhatsApp?

Countries like Cuba, North Korea, China, Iran, and Syria have banned WhatsApp. The app is also banned in the UAE, albeit to a partial extent --- you can only use it to text. You can subscribe to a premium VPN such as ExpressVPN to stay when visiting these areas.

Is there a WhatsApp equivalent for China?

The equivalent of WhatsApp in China is WeChat, which the government approves for use in the country. WeChat, however, is not private; the government has full access to the users' WeChat data and private activities. Whatsapp encrypts its conversation, keeping them perfectly private. And you can unblock and use WhatsApp once you get a premium VPN to bypass the censorship.

How to Bypass WhatsApp Restrictions in China in 2023

Sneak peek at bypassing WhatsApp restrictions in China

The great firewall of China keeps so many popular social media apps away from citizens and residents alike. As a result, the overall privacy of the Chinese population is almost nonexistent, and the government micromanages the information they access. However, using a premium VPN helps both citizens and tourists safely use WhatsApp free of the prying eyes of the government and the local ISPs. Dive into this article to learn about the best VPNs for unblocking WhatsApp in China, including alternatives to WhatsApp and other popular social media apps.

WhatsApp is a widely used social media app in many countries except a select few, including China. The government uses Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to screen and ban unwanted apps and internet activities while restricting internet traffic. As a result, WhatsApp users who travel to China may find it challenging to communicate. Thankfully, there is a reliable method to bypass this geo-restriction and unblock WhatsApp in China. If you guessed VPNs, you’re correct.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your online activities, making it impossible for your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the Chinese government to monitor or block your online activities.

However, not all VPN services function effectively in China. For this reason, we have detailed the most reliable VPNs to help you use WhatsApp seamlessly in China. This guide answers your questions on how to unblock WhatsApp in China, choosing a VPN for WhatsApp in China, and alternatives to WhatsApp in China, among others.

A quick guide to using WhatsApp in China

Subscribe to a reliable VPN. ExpressVPN is an excellent choice.
Download and then install the VPN app on your device.
Connect to a server from any country, like Japan.
Opt for a server close to you for the best speeds.
Use WhatsApp and enjoy texting your family, friends, and coworkers and making audio and video calls with them.