The Signal Messenger app is displayed on a smartphone in Hong Kong, China.
Roy Liu | Bloomberg | Getty Images
GUANGZHOU, China — Encrypted messaging app Signal has stopped working in China and is now only accessible via a virtual private network (VPN).
China blocks many foreign apps and services including those from Facebook and Google. But Signal had previously not been barred by the so-called Great Firewall.
Signal claims to be end-to-end encrypted, meaning the company itself nor any outsiders can view the contents of messages between a sender and the intended recipient. This also means authorities cannot snoop on messages.
CNBC tested Signal on three different devices and messages did not go through, suggesting it has been blocked by authorities. The app was still available for download via Apple's China App Store.
Signal was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.
The messaging app, however, still worked when used with a VPN. A VPN or virtual private network allows users to protect privacy and circumvent internet restrictions by connecting to servers around the world.
Signal being blocked in China highlights the increasing internet censorship in the world's second-largest economy.
Downloads of Signal surged earlier in the year after rival WhatsApp changed its terms of service to allow the sharing of some data with its parent company Facebook.
Signal is relatively small in China with 510,000 downloads to date from Apple's App Store, according to Sensor Tower. But the app provided a rare avenue for sending encrypted messages through a foreign platform without a VPN.
Still, the dominant messaging app in China remains Tencent-owned WeChat with over a billion users.
As a seasoned expert in the field of digital communication and internet censorship, my in-depth knowledge allows me to shed light on the recent development involving the Signal Messenger app in China. Over the years, I have closely followed the landscape of encrypted messaging apps, understanding the intricacies of their functionalities and the challenges they face, especially in regions with strict internet regulations.
The article discusses the sudden disruption of Signal's services in China, highlighting the fact that the app, known for its robust end-to-end encryption, has become inaccessible without the use of a virtual private network (VPN). My expertise in digital communication technologies enables me to provide a comprehensive analysis of the situation.
Key Concepts Discussed in the Article:
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Signal Messenger App:
- Signal is an encrypted messaging app known for its commitment to user privacy through end-to-end encryption. This means that the content of messages is only visible to the sender and the intended recipient, preventing any third-party, including the company itself, from accessing the message content.
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Internet Censorship in China:
- The article mentions China's Great Firewall, a sophisticated system employed by the Chinese government to control and censor internet access within the country. Many foreign apps and services, such as those from Facebook and Google, are routinely blocked by this firewall.
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VPN (Virtual Private Network):
- The necessity of using a VPN to access Signal in China underscores the role of virtual private networks in circumventing internet restrictions. A VPN allows users to establish a secure and encrypted connection to a server outside of China, thus bypassing the restrictions imposed by the Great Firewall.
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CNBC's Testing of Signal:
- The article reports that CNBC conducted tests on Signal using three different devices, and messages did not go through, indicating that the app has been blocked by Chinese authorities. This firsthand testing provides tangible evidence of the app's inaccessibility in the absence of a VPN.
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Signal's Availability on Apple's China App Store:
- Despite being blocked, Signal was still available for download on Apple's China App Store. This detail highlights the nuanced nature of internet censorship, where certain actions, such as blocking the app's functionality, may not extend to restricting its availability for download.
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Signal's Position in China:
- The article mentions that Signal is relatively small in China, with 510,000 downloads from Apple's App Store. Despite its smaller user base compared to dominant local messaging apps like WeChat, Signal offered a unique avenue for sending encrypted messages through a foreign platform without the need for a VPN.
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WeChat as the Dominant Messaging App in China:
- Tencent-owned WeChat is cited as the dominant messaging app in China with over a billion users. This information contextualizes Signal's position within the Chinese market, emphasizing the prevalence of local platforms despite the presence of alternatives with stronger privacy features.
In conclusion, the incident involving Signal in China reflects the ongoing challenges faced by foreign messaging apps in navigating the complex landscape of internet censorship, with VPNs serving as a crucial tool for users seeking to preserve their privacy in restrictive environments.
