Discord is a community where you can meet and network with like-minded people.
With over 100 million active users, one would think the platform is available in most countries. Unfortunately, Discord is restricted in certain countries.
One of the countries you can’t use Discord freely is China. This is strange and ironic, as a few servers are dedicated to learning Mandarin on Discord.
Therefore, the question on many people’s lips is why Discord is banned in China.
Discord is banned in China because the Chinese government is trying to censor any perceived “westernized” social apps and keep them away from the Chinese people. Also, it is a way to monitor the Chinese people’s and residents’ activities on the internet. While these seem to be the only reason for blocking Discord in China, other reasons might have contributed to banning Discord in China.
If you wish to know more about why China blocked Discord, read this guide to the end as we explain more about the Discord ban policy in China. Also, you will learn other eye-opening facts and how to access Discord in China.
When Was Discord Banned in China?
Discord is just like any social media app. Although it started as a platform strictly for gamers, other regular users worldwide now use the app to connect with friends, family, and co-workers.
Imagine the disappointment of many fans of Discord to discover that Discord is banned in China.
The obvious question is, why is Discord banned in China?
Before we go into that, it will be beneficial to know more about Discord and its relation to China. The truth is Discord hasn’t always been banned in China.
Discord was created in 2015, and the Chinese government blocked the website on the 13th of July, 2018. Until then, people living in China have been using the website freely without censorship.
So, why did the Chinese government ban Discord?
Why Is Discord Banned in China?
Discord is banned in China to prevent citizens and residents from accessing certain information online. This action restricts the people from freedom of speech and prevents them from knowing the government’s actions.
Internet Censorship in China indicates that the government heavily monitors people’s activities online and blocks websites believed to be a major means of communication.
As you may have known, Discord is an information-sharing platform that allows users to connect and communicate freely.
Unfortunately, China doesn’t want this. This speech and internet regulation policy is called The Great Firewall of China.
It severely prevents its people from using some selected foreign websites within the country. Other websites and apps blocked by the Chinese government include WhatsApp, Twitter, Twitch, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and so on.
Meanwhile, China isn’t the only one that has prevented its people from accessing Discord. Countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), North Korea, Iran, Egypt, and Oman have done the same.
What these countries have in common is an authoritarian government. They aim to prevent the transfer of information freely.
Besides limiting freedom of speech, banning Discord and other platforms benefits the Chinese government. It is an opportunity to encourage their social media apps, like WeChat, Douban, Sina Weibo, Tencent QQ, and so on.
With their indigenous apps, monitoring people’s activities will be easy.
Fortunately for many Discord fans in China, there is a way to access Discord in China and protect yourself. All you need is to download a VPN.
How To Access Discord in China?
Despite the heavy censorship of Discord in China, accessing it is easy. Virtual Private Networks (VPN) allow you to connect with others and share information freely on Discord in China.
Here is how:
- Download a VPN proven to work and pass over the Great Firewall of China.
- Sign in or register an account.
- Choose a VPN server in any country where Discord is allowed.
- Sign in to Discord and use it as you would normally.
It is best to download the VPN outside China as the Chinese government also banned some VPN network systems. Also, many VPN services are subscriptions based.
Conclusion
Discord is a community of great people that allows connection and free information sharing. Sadly, the Chinese government doesn’t allow Discord usage within the country.
Its main reason is to prevent people from using a western website which Discord happens to be.
This guide has explored other reasons behind Discord blockage in China and how to use it regarding the ban.
