Which countries have blocked WhatsApp?

 

Russia has become the latest country to restrict WhatsApp calls, accusing the Meta-owned platform of refusing to share information in fraud and terrorism investigations. WhatsApp bans and restrictions vary worldwide, with some countries enforcing complete blocks and others only limiting certain features. China began blocking WhatsApp in 2017 as part of its strict internet censorship policies, forcing users to rely on WeChat. In North Korea, WhatsApp is generally inaccessible, alongside other global platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, due to one of the most controlled internet systems in the world.

Partial bans are more common in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates has blocked most internet-to-internet voice and video calls since 2017, though text messaging remains available. Qatar also restricts VoIP services without fully banning WhatsApp. Egypt and Jordan have taken steps to slow or limit WhatsApp calling, while Russia’s restrictions now target certain calling features.

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Some nations have intermittent bans. Iran recently lifted its WhatsApp ban, while Turkey, Uganda, and Cuba have all blocked it temporarily in response to political or security issues. In the United States, WhatsApp has been banned from all U.S. House of Representatives devices for security reasons.

Countries have blocked or restricted WhatsApp for a variety of reasons, ranging from political control to security concerns. In China, the ban is part of the Great Firewall system, aimed at filtering foreign platforms. North Korea’s block aligns with its broader ban on global social media to maintain information control.

Partial restrictions are often linked to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, which let users make free calls over the internet. The United Arab Emirates has banned most VoIP calls since 2017 to protect telecom revenue, only temporarily lifting restrictions during Expo Dubai 2020. Qatar allows WhatsApp messaging but limits calls, and Egypt has attempted to throttle call quality. Jordan also maintains restrictions on WhatsApp calling.

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Some countries use WhatsApp bans as a political tool. Turkey has blocked the platform during periods of political unrest, and Uganda banned it in 2021 after Facebook suspended pro-government accounts. Cuba briefly restricted WhatsApp during protests the same year. Iran, which had previously banned the platform, lifted the restriction last year in a move to ease internet controls.

In a unique case, the United States has not banned WhatsApp nationwide but prohibits it on all U.S. House of Representatives devices to reduce potential security risks.