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Comment by 3qz | Hacker News Reader

> Every aspect of a typical Chinese person’s life, not just online but also off is conducted through [this] single app Every aspect of a typical Chinese person’s life, not just online but also off is conducted through [this] single app

What happens to people that get banned from WeChat?

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I suspect life gets very difficult. When visiting a supplier in China a few years ago I tried to buy a coffee from the place downstairs and eventually had to get someone from the supplier to do so because they had no method of ordering and paying other than a WeChat app, and as someone without a Chinese bank account I was unable to pay for anything via WeChat.

I had to go to China for 1 week+ for work and was in the same boat. Found a few places that only take WeChat but I ask someone around to pay for me and give them cash. More often than not it would be the person at the register. People are quite helpful if you ask nicely.

You are shut out, and with the latest CCP censorship measures you are forbidden to creat accounts "web-wide".

So I guess you should just keep your mouth shut other than harmonious online activities to avoid that doomsday situation, like me, I never use WeChat or Weibo to do anything other than keeping in basic touch, since you don't know which mundane word would become sensitive, trigger the censors and get you banned, there's no appeal.

I keep a fb account exactly for the same reason. Keeping in touch with friends and family from all over. I'd never post anything because you never know what random s..t gets you banned for life next year.

Probably a worse version of getting banned from the banking system and VISA/Mastercard as well. Go living in the woods becomes a very realistic choice.

If you've seen the Black Mirror episode "Nosedive," well, that's the answer to this question.

What happens to web developers that get banned from the internet?

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