A look at a thriving underground economy for Claude access in China, including "transfer station" sites that buy API tokens abroad and distribute them to users (Wired)

An underground market has emerged in China where users circumvent Anthropic's access restrictions on Claude through proxy services, token redistribution networks, and alternative identity schemes, indicating that geographic controls on AI tools are difficult to enforce and may drive users toward less secure, unvetted access channels. This situation highlights the broader challenge IT organizations face in implementing compliant AI governance frameworks while users seek unrestricted access, and demonstrates that restriction strategies without legitimate alternatives can push demand toward potentially compromised third-party solutions. For enterprises operating in or serving China, this underscores the need for transparent AI policies, risk assessment of shadow AI usage, and engagement with vendors on practical regional compliance solutions.