Although WhatsApp and Messenger are highly popular and promise to be secure, if you want better security for your communications, Telegram is a much better option and it is also free. It is not the only instant messaging app with a focus on security available, but Telegram is the most popular one when it comes to secure and private conversations. It offers a “Secret Chats” feature that is designed to provide end-to-end encryption and ensure that texts, media and everything you send is destroyed once it has reached its destination. When you use Telegram, all your data is encrypted, even, even if you are not using “Secret Chats”. Although WhatsApp and Messenger also promise to protect your communications, they are owned by a major corporation that is known for putting privacy at risk (we are looking at you Facebook), so many people are reluctant to use those apps.
Telegram on the other hand, is seen as a more reliable solution, not only in terms of privacy protection but also when we talk about performance. It works on multiple platforms including Android, iOS and Windows Phone. There is a web version available as well so you can communicate securely from anywhere. Also, Telegram is fast and it works consistently well on all these platforms. You don’t need to sacrifice privacy and security to enjoy convenient functionality. Telegram offers all the features needed to help you to stay in touch with friends and family. Telegram supports large group chats and you are not subject to limits in terms of the size of the files that you can send. Telegram supports cloud syncing as well, allowing you to get access to your conversations across all your devices.
Unfortunately, like many other apps, Telegram is blocked in China. It doesn’t come as a surprise as the Chinese government’s infamous Great Firewall has left users in China without access to a wide list of websites and services that are very popular in the West. The block on Telegram was implemented in 2015 as a result of the concerns that the Chinese authorities have regarding the fact that Telegram provides end-to-end encryption. Telegram’s encryption technology doesn’t allow Chinese authorities to access users’ communications and since China applies strict control over what people can access and share online, they want complete overview of citizens’ conversations.
Also, the self-destruct feature that deletes messages automatically after certain time, is not something that the Chinese government would be happy about. It is also believed that many human rights activists, journalists and those who question the government’s policies, were using Telegram. As a result, the government in China saw Telegram as a threat and chose to block the app. So is there anything that you can do to be able to access Telegram in China? Thankfully the answer is yes!
How can you use Telegram in China?
A VPN is the best solution to unblock Telegram in China and keep your conversations secure. VPN services redirect your traffic through a secure tunnel in a different location and they also encrypt your entire traffic. It is an advanced technology that keeps your information secure and that also lets you avoid blocks. By simply connecting to a VPN server, you can overcome the restrictions; you just need to choose a location where Telegram is not blocked. When you select a server outside China, you get an IP address from the country you are connecting to. This masks your real location and lets you defeat the restrictions. The steps that you can follow are simple:
- Register with a VPN service
- Download and install the VPN client on your device
- Open the VPN app and log into your account
- Connect to a server in a location where Telegram is available
- Now you can get access to Telegram, even if you are in China
One thing to note is that not all VPNs are effective when it comes to unblocking Telegram and other apps in China. The Chinese government is aware of the popularity of VPNs and the fact that many people use them to overcome restrictions. This is why they are targeting VPNs and have managed to block many of them. While not all VPNs work in China, there are still solutions that let you bypass the Great Firewall and access Telegram and many other apps.
Here is a list of the VPN Services that are still working in China.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services available so it is not a surprise to find out that it is still working in China. ExpressVPN uses advanced technology that enables it to get around the blocks that the Chinese government aims to place over the Internet. ExpressVPN has servers in over 90 countries and it protects your traffic with high encryption. Features like kill switch are also available and ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs of your activities. It is also fast so you won’t have issues sending and receiving messages via Telegram.
NordVPN
NordVPN is another highly respected VPN in the industry due to the impressive commitment that it shows towards privacy. NordVPN is a zero logs provider, meaning that it doesn’t keep any logs that could put your privacy at risk. It also protects your data with strong encryption. In addition, NordVPN helps you to bypass blocks as well and it has over 5000 servers in more than 50 countries so you will be able to use Telegram, even if you are in China. NordVPN supports features like Onion over VPN, which takes your privacy to the next level. It also offers fast speeds, helping you to get around blocks.
Surfshark
Surfshark combines fast speeds and high protection, allowing you to enjoy your favorite apps, without experiencing significant delays, and without sacrificing your privacy. It keeps your traffic encrypted and lets you overcome restrictions thanks to its No Borders mode and Camouflage mode. The Camouflage mode is one of the reasons why Surfshark is perfect for unblocking Telegram in China since it disguises VPN traffic, preventing Chinese authorities from blocking it. Surfshark doesn’t keep logs of your activities and it gives you access to servers in over 50 countries.
