If you are organizing a group that includes people inside China, do not use WhatsApp. Use WeChat (for general audiences) or Feishu (Lark) / DingTalk for professional enterprise groups. Note: This paper reflects the situation as of April 2026. While the Great Firewall remains stable, specific blocking patterns can change. However, no policy reversal regarding WhatsApp is expected.
The Inaccessibility of WhatsApp Group Chats in China: Digital Barriers and Domestic Alternatives Whatsapp Group In China
AI Research Brief Date: April 17, 2026