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11 bans

China ✕ Apps & Websites ✕

Here are 11 entries for banned apps & websites in China: what was banned, when, why, and whether the ban is still in force. Tap any item for the full story.

ChinaBannedGoogle SearchGoogle moved its Chinese search service to Hong Kong in 2010 after refusing to censor results; its services are blocked by the Great Firewall.Apps & WebsitesSince 2010Details →ChinaBannedFacebookBlocked after the July 2009 Ürümqi unrest, when authorities said the platform was used to organise protests.Apps & WebsitesSince 2009Details →ChinaBannedInstagramBlocked during the 2014 Hong Kong protests and never restored.Apps & WebsitesSince 2014Details →ChinaBannedRedditBlocked since August 2018 during a wave of website bans. China gave no reason, and the block spread from Beijing and Shenzhen to the whole mainland. Reddit still works in Hong Kong.Apps & WebsitesSince 2018-08Details →ChinaBannedSignalBlocked since mid-March 2021, when Signal's website and app stopped working without a VPN. It was one of the last Western messengers still usable in China. It works in Hong Kong.Apps & WebsitesSince 2021-03Details →ChinaBannedTelegramBlocked since July 2015, when state media accused Telegram of helping human rights lawyers organise during a nationwide crackdown. It only works in mainland China through a VPN.Apps & WebsitesSince 2015-07Details →ChinaBannedTwitchBlocked since 20 September 2018, weeks after Chinese viewers flocked to Twitch to watch esports at the Asian Games. The app was also removed from China's Apple App Store.Apps & WebsitesSince 2018-09-20Details →ChinaBannedWhatsAppFully blocked in 2017; its end-to-end encryption cannot be monitored by the state.Apps & WebsitesSince 2017Details →ChinaBannedWikipediaAll language editions have been blocked since April 2019.Apps & WebsitesSince 2019Details →ChinaBannedX (Twitter)Blocked since 2009 together with most foreign social networks.Apps & WebsitesSince 2009Details →ChinaBannedYouTubeYouTube has been largely inaccessible from mainland China since March 2009, following earlier intermittent blocks, though it can be accessed via VPNs or in specific regions.Apps & WebsitesSince 2009-03Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

What apps & websites are banned in China?

Our list has 11 banned or restricted apps & websites in China, including Google Search (2010), Facebook (2009), Instagram (2014) and Reddit (2018-08).

Is this list up to date?

We review entries regularly and add new bans as they happen. Laws change, so check an official government source before you travel or act on this information.

Laws change often and many bans have exceptions. This list is for general information, not legal or travel advice. Check official government sources before you travel. Last updated: 01/11/2026.