"China says all VPN providers must get permission from government to operate." http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...-shutdown-of-vpns-that-bypass-great-firewall/
There's some FUD going on about this. Here's a HN comment about http://www.scmp.com/news/china/poli...move-clean-vpns-and-strengthen-great-firewall by a "Chinese native":
I guess the proof is going to be in the pudding. That is, actual verifiable reports that blocking is taking place and that the blocking is permanent and not just intermittent. I have seen reports on this since 2015 and most indicate that blocking exists, e.g. The Financial Times reported on protocols used by Apple devices, including iPhones were blocked, but there were pockets where service was available. Hong Kong probably gets a pass most of the time, but the question is for how long. I expect if the mainland was really determined to keep the lid on it, it would happen.
Remember that later in the year (Oct-Nov) will be the 19th party congress during which 5 out of 7 of the members of the Politburo Standing Committee as well as half of the Politburo itself will change. Of course the Powers that Be would prefer to limit any widespread public discussion concerning this. So I'm sure that we will see additional half-assed attempts to suppress any internal Social Media uprising. Essentially nothing but an interpretation of Rule #24 from the Totalitarian Rulers handbook.
I will expand further (not that you want me to). China (and Russia) have a particular issue in that they make military service mandatory; however if a person happens to have a talent in the computer area they are offered an out- instead of marching and/or cleaning the latrine they can be a Hero Of The People and keep society safe from Capitalist Oppression by the Corrupt Western Gangs and diverse other RunningDogs of Wall Street (God, I love rhetoric) by joining the Security Services and Hack for the People. The issue here is this- at the end of the term of service, the best will be given an opportunity to join a gang, but those that don't make the cut will be let loose. And as we all know a Government trained unemployed hacker is a subversive who will find joy in tweaking those who cast him/her off. Essentially China plants the seeds of their own internal Cyber defeat. (Personal note to Chen Wenqing- I used all of the appropriate phrases so I know you will get this- I'll be happy to do a seminar for you guys fro FREE (wink, wink). You'll find all of my contact info in the Security Clearance database you folks hacked from the Stare Department last year. Just have your minions do a search for "aka cruelsister". )
China's government starts issuing fines for VPN use Country starts enforcing 20-year old law January 8, 2019 https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3068962/chinas-government-starts-issuing-fines-for-vpn-use
Google bans VPN ads in China March 20, 2019 https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-bans-vpn-ads-in-china/
Chinese man arrested after making $1.6 million from selling VPN services Chinese authorities continue their crackdown against unauthorized VPN services January 16, 2020 https://www.zdnet.com/article/chine...making-1-6-million-from-selling-vpn-services/
