Or does the operating system or ‘WeChat’ immediately report it to the government?
Maybe someone here can say something about this. Gladly also about ‘Briar’.
Of course you can use it, don’t be silly! The government doesn’t actively monitor your apps or internet activity.
Did you even read the article you linked? The only concrete claim this article makes as to government monitoring citizens’ internet activity is that services are required to log user data (messages sent, browsing history) for around 6 months. This is literally standard practice around the world.
No, you see, it’s only bad when non-westerners, specifically non-usanians do it.