29 september 2023
By: SAMIRA SIDDIQUI
WhatsApp faces bans in various countries due to concerns over govt surveillance & control. The platform's end-to-end encryption, prioritising user privacy, clashes with government monitoring efforts. Some othere reasons includes censorship & information control, regulatory compliance etc.
Here are a few countries where WhatsApp is restricted or banned due to the reasons mentioned.
China comes in first on this ranking. Due to government filtering measures, WhatsApp has experienced frequent interruptions in China. As a result, WeChat is marketed by the Chinese government as the favoured messaging app.
WhatsApp has experienced temporary or intermittent bans in Iran, often coinciding with periods of political unrest. The government has expressed concerns over the platform's encryption.
WhatsApp has faced bans during political events and protests in Turkey, often coinciding with government efforts to control the flow of information.
The messaging app has faced temporary restrictions and bans in Iraq primarily during periods of political unrest and protests. The government has implemented these measures to control the flow of information & communication among citizens during sensitive times.
The use of WhatsApp is restricted in North Korea, where the government exercises strict control over the internet and communication.
In addition to these countries, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have previously restricted WhatsApp voice and video conversations made through telecom carriers.However, text messaging on WhatsApp is generally accessible.