Newcomer

Question

Friends in China can no longer connect to my links

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
April 3, 2023
13 replies
1 view

On Friday, March 31, my friends in China were able to meet me on zoom using my Personal Meeting Room link (free edition), like we always use. Beginning Saturday, April 1, they were no longer able to use this link. I already checked that I didn't have China blocked, or any other country. I then also tried changing my settings to specify that China be allowed. My friends tried joining from the app and the browser. No luck either way. I also tried searching in the news for any updates but haven't seen anything to say that there has been a change in foreign policies. In fact, the sole article that I found specifically said that citizens in China would still be allowed to join American meeting links, they just can't purchase Zoom software directly. Has anyone had any success? My friends do not have the option of a VPN at this time.

J

Joni1989

Newcomer

I have the same problem too! but my other clients in China can use my other zoom since I have 2 accounts last week up until today. Now they cant use both. I wonder if there must be something to be done to fix this.

J

JohnForest

Newcomer

Exact same issue! My client said they contacted Zoom support and were told that I needed to have a paid account, but I cannot find any information about this anywhere.

A

Amberella

Newcomer

That sounds like extortion.

J

JohnForest

Newcomer

I was shocked when I got that information, but I'm still trying to find out if it is accurate. I am seeing no information about this change anywhere, other than this post. I was not notified by Zoom of any changes. This needs to get sorted out.

T

TeacherRiva

Newcomer

Apparently, only paid zoom accounts can be accessed by Chinese users unless they have VPN.
I've tried voov which is free and unlimited, but I'm not happy with the share screen (only host can be seen on video). Classin is another option but only 20 sessions are free per month.

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JohnForest

Newcomer

This lines up with what I have heard as well. I guess this is some newly implemented policy that was not communicated by Zoom? After years of having things work well for them to suddenly not work unexpectedly is beyond disappointing. I will definitely be looking into Voov and Classin, thanks for that information.

A

Amberella

Newcomer

The governments use Zoom for all kinds of shady practices that are completely unethical and illegal. Hostage situations and psychological warfare.

Court rooms are empty but zoom rooms are full. They have discretion and immunity. Now they have zoom. It's a very disturbing truth.

S

SoccerMom3

Newcomer

Has anyone tried purchasing an account and clients in China were able to join a Zoom meeting?

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tracyaAuthor

Newcomer

I have heard from 30+ people that their PAID accounts are accessible to their clients in China, no VPN required. Likewise, 30+ people have reported that their FREE accounts are not. However, when I finally got through to a customer service rep on the chat yesterday, she said that all accounts require that people in China use a VPN??? That doesn't line up with what's actually happening though.

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Joni1989

Newcomer

It is true. I am having a class as we speak and I am using a paid account. my students didnt have to use a VPN

J

Joni1989

Newcomer

Yes I have. I am using my aunt's account and it is pro premium. So the chinese clients can enter. It works. However I wish to use my own still.

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L722_2

Newcomer

Are you still connecting with them using Zoom as of 05/20/2023? If that is the case, Zoom really should make an announcement.

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JDM1971

Newcomer

I am having the same issue. Zoom seriously needs to communicate to their clients about such changes. If we must go to paid, I want to know for sure that my account connects. My client now has requested me to move to Voov, so that is my temporary solution if it works.

L

L722_2

Newcomer

I have the same connection issue with friends in China. I hope this will be resolved very soon. We have not been able to communicate for over a month now. One person said Zoom Support reconnected him. I am reading everything I can here in order to find a solution.

I also tried Skype this week (05/18/2023), but we were not able to connect from the US. I read online tonight that connection issues have been consistently experienced there as well, and that Microsoft is working on them.

I am jumping ahead to read the posts below yours, and it seems that Zoom itself is providing access only for paying accounts. If this is the case, Zoom should have made an announcement long in-advance. Then people could have registered and not have lost connections. I am only communicating with a few individuals and only use the basic chat box and whiteboard. I do not need all the other features. Can a Zoom Employee verify this, please? Thank you.

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reldkamp

Newcomer

My account is paid. My friends are not. I meet with many in China. Some are able to join easily - no VPN, etc. Some are not able to join. Perhaps the difference is geographical?

K

K-C

Newcomer

ZOOM is forcing Chinese users to upgrade to paid accounts, which users in other countries do not need to, it's discrimination!

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L722_2

Newcomer

It would not benefit Zoom to discriminate against Chinese users. Chinese users would simply find another route, and Zoom would lose that business. It is likely that some restriction has been placed on Zoom from China. Additionally, for those with free accounts, Zoom is not earning anything - not a "dime". So Zoom does not really owe people who are not paying, although if the issue was on China's side, then it would have helped for Zoom to put out a formal announcement and send emails instead of people just finding themselves disconnected like what happened with the Berlin Wall many years ago and other countries who terminate external internet contact.

Where there's a "will", there's a way. Figure out a way and don't rely solely on Zoom.

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