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Audio-chat app Clubhouse inaccessible in mainland China after increased political discussions
- Users on the mainland are unable to connect to the servers of Clubhouse and can only access the service through a virtual private network
- The app’s inaccessibility followed the proliferation of online discussions about sensitive political topics like the Hong Kong protests
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Clubhouse, the popular US audio-chat social media app, became inaccessible in mainland China on Monday evening, following the proliferation of online discussions about sensitive political topics like the Hong Kong protests, Xinjiang re-education camps and Taiwan relations.
Users in China have complained online that they are unable to connect to the servers of Clubhouse and can only access the service through a virtual private network.
The main page of the app now displays a red banner that reads: “An SSL error has occurred and a security connection to the server cannot be made.”
Users have also reported that they are not able to receive verification codes via mainland China mobile phone numbers.
Clubhouse did not immediately reply to an inquiry for comment on Monday.
Josh joined the Post in 2016 to cover politics and business in mainland China and Hong Kong. Since 2018, he has covered China's emerging tech sector. Having graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English and philosophy, he is now pursuing a master's degree in law at the University of Hong Kong.
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