The WhatsApp instant messaging service lets users connect through a proxy server so they can stay online if the internet is blocked or interrupted by a shutdown.
The technology giant owned by Meta responded and called for blackouts and blocking of Internet connections to the WhatsApp application that occurred in Iran not to happen again. WhatsApp decided to roll out an update that would allow people to continue chatting via the app even amidst a shutdown of Internet access.
Reporting from Independent.co.uk, Whatsapp launched an update that allows people to stay online using a proxy server where it is claimed to be able to overcome the type of disconnection or Internet blocking that is carried out by some governments. WhatsApp urged its global community to volunteer as a proxy to help people “communicate freely” and said it would offer guidance on how to set it up.
Proxy servers themselves serve as an alternative gateway between the user and the Internet when the traditional connection and the server have been turned off or interrupted. Basically, a proxy server provides the necessary connection between the user and the website or service they wish to access.
Whatsapp says that this feature is already available in the settings menu for everyone’s accounts using the latest version of this application. In addition, they added that connecting using a proxy makes privacy more secure where it has a high level of security.
In a post on their blog, Whatsapp explains that your private messages will still be protected by end-to-end encryption so they can keep communicating and not be seen by anyone.
“Your private messages will remain protected by end-to-end encryption – ensuring they stay between you and the people you communicate with and are not visible to anyone in between, not proxy servers, WhatsApp or Meta.”
Juras Juršenas, of proxy and online data collection company Oxylabs, told BBC News: “For people with government restrictions on Internet access, as has been the case in Iran, using a proxy server can allow people to maintain a connection to WhatsApp and others. Free uncensored internet.
Usually, website access is heavily restricted by government filters and only those with a VPN can access uncensored content from foreign websites.
So what actually happened?
The Internet outages were mostly from Iran’s largest mobile phone carrier going offline. Iran Mobile Communications Company has more than 60 million subscribers. The Iranian government, represented by the communications minister, blamed security reasons for the disturbance.
But Isik Mater of NetBlocks told the BBC: “The internet is one of the biggest tools the Iranian authorities have when riots break out in the streets.”
He said because there were no private broadcasting networks in Iran, the Internet was “the only place” where protesters could share a voice.
Here we share how to send WhatsApp messages without an Internet connection:
Connecting to a proxy on Android
- Make sure to use the latest version of WhatsApp.
- On the Chats tab, click More options and then Settings.
- Click Storage and data > Proxies (located at the bottom).
- Click Use proxy.
- Click Set proxy and enter the proxy address.
- Click Save.
- A tick will appear if the connection is successful.
- If you still can’t send or receive WhatsApp messages using a proxy, the proxy may have been blocked. You can long press a blocked proxy address to remove it, then enter a new proxy address to try again.
Connecting to a proxy on IPhone
- Make sure to use the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Open WhatsApp Settings.
- Click Storage and data>Proxies.
- Click Use proxy.
- Enter the proxy address then click Save to connect to it.
- A tick will appear if the connection is successful.
If you still can’t send or receive WhatsApp messages using a proxy, the proxy may have been blocked. Try again using a different proxy address
Technology will continue to grow, prepare yourself to develop even further!
When you use a third-party proxy, the IP address will be shared with the proxy provider. Third party proxies are not provided by WhatsApp.