New WhatsApp feature will help Iranians bypass censorship and coordinate protests
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The messaging application can now connect via proxy, so it can continue to work despite interruptions in internet services established by authorities
WhatsApp, the messaging app owned by Meta, recently introduced a new feature that helps bypass internet outages, such as those seen in Iran during protests.
Through its blog, the platform presented the new proxy support feature , which allows users to connect to the instant messaging service through servers set up by volunteers and organizations from around the world.
“Today we launch proxy support for WhatsApp users around the world. This means that now people have the power , since they will be able to continue accessing WhatsApp even if their connection is blocked or interrupted," the company explained on its blog.
We continue to fight for your right to communicate freely and privately.
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 5, 2023
Now, when connecting to WhatsApp directly is not possible, you can stay connected around the world through a server set up by volunteers and organizations dedicated to helping others communicate freely.
The company specifically mentioned the case of Iran and recalled that in that Asian country there have been cuts to internet services that undermine human rights
“Our wish for 2023 is that there will be no more interruptions in internet services. Cuts like the ones we've seen for months in Iran undermine people's human rights and don't allow them to receive help in emergency situations,” the app said on her blog.
He added that he hopes this new feature will help those in places where secure and reliable communication is needed.
WhatsApp highlights that the high level of privacy and security that it currently provides through the traditional connection will be maintained with the proxy service.
“The proxy connection maintains the high level of privacy and security that WhatsApp provides. Your personal messages will continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only you and the person you are communicating with will be able to see them, without intermediaries such as other people, proxy servers, WhatsApp or Meta, “he adds.
Finally, the messaging platform reported that this option is now available in the settings menu for everyone with the most recent version of the application.