WhatsApp: Messaging service will continue to work even during internet blackouts, here’s how

Messaging service WhatsApp will enable users to connect to the app via proxy servers in the future, which allow them to stay onlineeven if the internet is blocked or disrupted.

The Meta-owned service stated that it hopes internet blackouts will never occur again as they are a denial of human rights and ‘cut people off from receiving urgent help’, as per the BBC.

Proxy volunteers

The service will work by utilising the global WhatsApp community to volunteer proxy servers and enable communication in areas where there has been disruption or blackouts, such as during the recent situation in Iran.

WhatsApp have stated they will offer guidance on how to set one up and that security and privacy will remain paramount, as they continue to ‘fight for your right to communicate freely and privately.’ They tweeted:

If WhatsApp is blocked in your country, you can use a proxy to stay connected and chat with friends and family

Your personal messages will still be protected by end-to-end encryption - ensuring they stay between you and the person you're communicating with and are not visible to anyone in between, not the proxy servers, WhatsApp or Meta.

Uncensored internet

Juras Juršėnas, from online data collection company Oxylabs, acknowledged the importance of the move and commented, as per the BBC:

For people with government restrictions on internet access, such as was the case with Iran, usage of a proxy server can let people retain connection to WhatsApp and the rest of the free, uncensored internet.

It will allow people around the world to stay connected even if their internet access is blocked by some malicious actors.

The announcement comes after Iran blocked Instagram and WhatsApp access last year in order to subdue protests. The new initiative from WhatsApp means that if any authoritarian governments want to block communications in the future, people will now have a backup plan and will be able to stay connected.

Sources used:

- BBC 'WhatsApp to enable messaging in internet blackouts'