LINE app blocked in China
Jul 2, 2014, 9:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,934
LINE app blocked in China
Since yesterday night (July 1), it seems that LINE has been blocked by the Great Firewall of China. Without a VPN, it's possible to see that messages are coming in (alerts are shown), but messages can't be read nor sent. A VPN allows access as usual.
Hoping that this will be only temporary but I'm not optimistic...
Some reference articles:
http://shanghaiist.com/2014/07/02/li...p_banned_i.php
http://www.techinasia.com/japanese-c...ainland-china/
Hoping that this will be only temporary but I'm not optimistic...
Some reference articles:
http://shanghaiist.com/2014/07/02/li...p_banned_i.php
http://www.techinasia.com/japanese-c...ainland-china/
Jul 2, 2014, 2:56 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KIX, ITM, UKB, YVR
Programs: Star Alliance - AC
Posts: 2,356
Eeesh, really????
I use LINE for Japanese and Taiwanese contacts and Weixin for Mainland Chinese contacts.
Most of my Taiwanese friends refuse to use Weixin because it is "Chinese".
I use LINE for Japanese and Taiwanese contacts and Weixin for Mainland Chinese contacts.
Most of my Taiwanese friends refuse to use Weixin because it is "Chinese".
Jul 2, 2014, 3:14 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,045
Jul 2, 2014, 3:17 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LHR/BHX
Programs: BA, VS, SU
Posts: 194
To be honest I thought 'most' European people (and possibly Americans) use WhatsApp.
What about the good ol' fashioned text message, assuming you've got a China Mobile SIM or the like!
PS: moondog - you're up early!
Jul 2, 2014, 6:29 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PEK & MKE
Programs: Amex-gold, Hainan-gold, Mrt-LT Titanium
Posts: 1,353
In beijing (BJ) the cencors have turned up the summer blocks. On July 1st even the US embassy site was blocked, (maybe too much July 1 HK chaos !).
Its online now, but had to use chinese firefox for a browser, IE is a no go in BJ.
Yes, we-chat is truly great.
Its online now, but had to use chinese firefox for a browser, IE is a no go in BJ.
Yes, we-chat is truly great.
Last edited by Jiatong; Jul 2, 2014 at 6:30 pm Reason: spl
Jul 2, 2014, 7:30 pm
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
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Since yesterday night (July 1), it seems that LINE has been blocked by the Great Firewall of China. Without a VPN, it's possible to see that messages are coming in (alerts are shown), but messages can't be read nor sent. A VPN allows access as usual.
Hoping that this will be only temporary but I'm not optimistic...
Some reference articles:
http://shanghaiist.com/2014/07/02/li...p_banned_i.php
http://www.techinasia.com/japanese-c...ainland-china/
Hoping that this will be only temporary but I'm not optimistic...
Some reference articles:
http://shanghaiist.com/2014/07/02/li...p_banned_i.php
http://www.techinasia.com/japanese-c...ainland-china/
Jul 3, 2014, 2:37 am
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
WeChat is better anyway. #1 app in P.R. China and chinese speaking areas (like Singapore)
I have never heard about this "LINE" thing before - apparently some japanese app, so it doesn't surprise me it's blocked within China. Maybe a reaction on japanese recent aggression?
I have never heard about this "LINE" thing before - apparently some japanese app, so it doesn't surprise me it's blocked within China. Maybe a reaction on japanese recent aggression?
Jul 3, 2014, 3:38 am
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,045
WeChat is better anyway. #1 app in P.R. China and chinese speaking areas (like Singapore)
I have never heard about this "LINE" thing before - apparently some japanese app, so it doesn't surprise me it's blocked within China. Maybe a reaction on japanese recent aggression?
I have never heard about this "LINE" thing before - apparently some japanese app, so it doesn't surprise me it's blocked within China. Maybe a reaction on japanese recent aggression?
Jul 3, 2014, 10:14 am
#13
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
You apparently have been hanging out with the wrong crowd.
BTW, both Line and Facebook are VERY popular in Taiwan. And as mentioned, The mother company of Line is Korean (Naver Corporation) and LINE Corporation has successfully become a spinoff company based in Japan since April 2013.
Last edited by lin821; Jul 3, 2014 at 10:37 am Reason: fixing a link
Jul 3, 2014, 11:44 am
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,045
Politicizing benign threads such as this one is extremely shameful on both sides.
Whenever I see terms like "Japanese War of Aggression" or "Communist China" put on the table for no plausible reason apart from pot stirring, I simply shrug.
Very bad form, guys.
Whenever I see terms like "Japanese War of Aggression" or "Communist China" put on the table for no plausible reason apart from pot stirring, I simply shrug.
Very bad form, guys.
Jul 3, 2014, 11:52 am
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Although perhaps put out there in pot-stirring fashion, there certainly is decent evidence that China uses various tools to undermine foreign competitors to certain Chinese companies, particularly competitors from countries like Japan and the US. Whether that's happening in this case is not clear, but it's a plausible explanation.