“China shuts down smartphone users after downloading ‘foreign’ chat apps”

China would cut smartphone users off the mobile network if they downloaded chat applications such as Whatsapp and Telegram, or use VPNs to bypass China’s internet filter. This would mainly happen in the Xinjiang region.

The shutdown of mobile users has not been communicated from authorities, but The New York Times has spoken to a number of people affected by the new policy. They claim to have received a message on their smartphone to the effect that the mobile number will be disconnected within two hours. In case of questions, local police should be contacted, where access can be restored. A Urumqi police official confirmed to The New York Times that mobile numbers are being shut down. However, Chinese telecom providers did not want to confirm.

People who contact the police are told that they can be shut down in the event that ‘foreign’ applications have been downloaded for communication. This includes WhatsApp and Telegram. The use of VPNs can also lead to the closure of access to mobile networks. Authorities also shut down people if they have no identification linked to their mobile number, according to The New York Times.

The information shows that the Chinese authorities are mainly targeting mobile users in the Xinjiang region. Terrorist attacks committed by separatists and jihadists regularly occur in this region. After the attacks in Paris, China is said to have adopted the new shutdown policy. Although it has not been officially confirmed, the Chinese authorities have said that the internet in Xinjiang is widely used to spread religious extremism.