Even though WhatsApp is fabulously popular, it’s not accessible everywhere. With more than two billion monthly users in over 180 countries, the app runs into quite a few restrictions in certain areas due to regulatory and political issues. Here’s a look at eight countries where WhatsApp is blocked or restricted:
- China: WhatsApp is entirely blocked in China. The Chinese government has banned the app, along with some other foreign communication tools. Citizens are offered the alternative of WeChat.
- North Korea: In North Korea, the app is forbidden. Tight control over internet use has led to no access for citizens to most foreign communication platforms.
- Syria: WhatsApp is blocked in Syria as part of the broader restrictions on internet usage. The Syrian government has controlled the flow of information and restricted access to a host of foreign communication services.
- Iran: In Iran, WhatsApp is banned. The Iranian government has restricted access to the app to control information and communication within the country.
- Qatar: WhatsApp is geo-blocked in Qatar. While it is possible to send texts over this network, voice and video calls are blocked, which limits the application’s full feature set.
- Saudi Arabia: Like Qatar, the Riyadh government has restricted WhatsApp’s voice and video calling features. Users can send texts but nothing more.
- Egypt: WhatsApp is limited in Egypt with restrictions on both audio and video calls. The Egyptian government has imposed these limits to keep communication under control and monitor activities.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE further restricts WhatsApp’s voice and video calling abilities but allows messaging. This is part of broader controls on VoIP services within the country.
Why WhatsApp and Other VoIP Services Are Banned
These restrictions have varying reasons across different countries. For example, the bans in China and North Korea are part of a broader scheme aimed at controlling information flow and promoting local telecommunications providers. In other countries, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, restrictions mainly relate to limiting voice and video communications to ensure government control and compliance with local regulations.
Recently, in Nigeria, WhatsApp has been in the spotlight of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for data privacy issues. The FCCPC imposed a $220 million fine on WhatsApp, accusing it of violating data protection laws. According to the commission, WhatsApp has been operating differently in Nigeria compared to other regions with similar data protection standards, leading to discussions about potentially withdrawing some services from the country.
These restrictions highlight the complex state of digital communication and the challenges global platforms like WhatsApp face when navigating diverse regulatory environments around the world.
