WhatsApp will allow its users to send messages over internet blocks in the future. The main target is Iran. The company relies on the support of volunteers.
Munich – This report is likely to find open ears, especially in Iran. Where for months Citizens protest against the regime’s crackdown in Tehran and risking nothing less than their lives. Well, do you want Whatsapp allow them, despite of the prevailing internet blocks continue to communicate with each other via the messaging service. Just like everyone else in the world who has an in Germany obvious free online communication is denied.
“While many of us celebrate the New Year and message loved ones via WhatsApp, millions of people in Iran and elsewhere are being denied the right to communicate freely and privately,” WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart announced on Thursday (January 5). . : “Today we make it easier for everyone to connect via WhatsApp using the proxy.”
Updated WhatsApp: Allow access to proxy server – messages remain encrypted
Proxy servers offer the ability to bypass Internet blocks by tapping into external servers overseas and using varying IP addresses. Connection requests to WhatsApp servers can now also be made this way. Important: According to the messaging service, proxy servers do not have access to chats because they remain encrypted during the transmission process.
“We hope to make it significantly more difficult to violate everyone’s right to private communications by making it easier to use the proxy,” Cathcart continues. However, the proxy servers are not offered by WhatsApp itself, rather the subsidiary Meta hopes for the support of volunteers and humanitarian organizations, as the boss further points out. The necessary software is provided free of charge, reports merkur.de.
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New feature for WhatsApp: Update available for Android and iOS
With the latest update, the new feature should be available in both Android and iOS versions. The function can be activated in WhatsApp via “Settings”. Under the heading “Storage and data” you will find the category “Proxy settings” at the bottom. After a click, the corresponding server address can be entered via “Use proxy” and “Set proxy”. Finally, click “Save”.
A successful connection is symbolized by a white check on a green star. If the messages still cannot be sent, the selected server is presumably blocked. network world however, it also points out that there are other ways to enforce internet blocking, so that proxy servers are also powerless. Giga puts a limit on your full internet connection into play.
WhatsApp allows you to bypass internet blocks – a wide range of proxy servers are required
the spiegel writes in reference to Iran that the regime is already using more sophisticated techniques to trace and terminate encrypted connections. Data connections may be slowed down to such an extent that videos can hardly be streamed. Also, the leadership is trying to exert control over the app stores.
The report also points out that “a broad range of proxy servers should be built.” Because every publicly known address could be blocked relatively easily. It would therefore also be important that the operators only transmit the addresses of their servers securely. (mg)
With another new feature WhatsApp should a little symbol of confusion cure. Thanks to another feature WhatsApp messages will soon disappear by themselves. From another update on WhatsApp it should benefit privacy.
