China Blocks Access To Popular Chat App Clubhouse, Hailed As Free Speech Haven

Fast-rising audio chat app Clubhouse has been reportedly blocked in China. Users of this app in mainland China are complaining about their inability to access the app. The app was being used by people to discuss sensitive issues with people living in other countries, including Taiwan. Chinese authorities have now blocked the app. With this, Clubhouse has joined the long list of social media apps and websites which are blocked in the country ruled by the Communist party. The move comes at a time when the app was getting extremely popular in the country. However, the decision is not shocking as some of the most popular social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are already banned in China.

According to a non-profit group in the United States, service to users in mainland China was interrupted at around 7 pm on Monday. The group monitors internet filtering and help people to avoid it. The Chinese government has never accepted the existence of its internet filters but researchers have found traced blockages within China Telecom Ltd. Internet traffic have to pass through it in order to function. The Chinese government said that it is promoting ‘internet sovereignty.’ The government says that it is the right of the political leaders to limit what the people of their country see online.

Clubhouse gained popularity, especially in China, in a very short span of time as it proved to be a platform where people can freely talk about politically sensitive issues. It is a totally different app as it uses oral conversation instead of text like other social media apps. This app also allowed people of mainland China to interact with people in Taiwan. In order to use this service of the app, users have to provide their name and phone number. However, there is no indication so far that anyone in China has been punished for the social media platform.