Messaging tool appears to have been blocked on mainland, but experts say users don’ t have to worry about encryption being compromised
Mainland WhatsApp users reported partially restored functions on Wednesday after experiencing trouble using the instant messaging tool on Tuesday.
Some users now appear to be able to send sound clips and photos, after reports of service disruptions a day earlier.
Security experts said despite the service disruption, so far it does not appear communications security had been compromised.
China’s WhatsApp users find ‘blocked’ messaging functions partially restored
Tests with South China Morning Post reporters stationed in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou showed different results, with Shanghai users experiencing the most difficulties.
A spokeswoman with Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, declined to comment on the service disruption on the mainland.
The Post ’s staff members in Guangzhou on Wednesday had no issues sharing text messages, videos, pictures or sound clips with local or overseas WhatsApp users.
But in Beijing, while reporters could receive most multimedia content, photos were a problem. Some pictures sent from overseas users could be displayed only as pixelated previews and couldn’ t be downloaded in full.
