Since the beginning of 2023, WhatsApp users have been able to redirect their data traffic abroad. To bypass internet blocks, the meta messenger offers worldwide proxy support. However, this is not a panacea against online censorship.
Authoritarian regimes use internet blockades to suppress communication and organizing rallies and protests on the internet. As a result, many people are denied opportunities to connect with friends and family.
During the protests in Iran, for example, the mullahs’ regime tried for months to block communications on the Internet, ultimately violating human rights. The Iranian government has even threatened WhatsApp parent company Meta with a permanent block.
WhatsApp: How to set up a proxy server
Despite the internet blockages in Iran, WhatsApp still plays an important role. Even the developers of the messenger have now presented one official answer to threats by the mullahs’ government. WhatsApp users now have the option to redirect their data traffic abroad using a proxy server.
This means that users can still access Messenger even if the connection is blocked or interrupted. Because a proxy allows you to use WhatsApp through overseas servers that volunteers and organizations from all over the world have set up.
Proxy servers – no panacea against online censorship
With WhatsApp proxy, users should be able to communicate freely without any hindrances. Meanwhile, the messenger ensures that setting a proxy server would not change the level of data protection. Private messages and content are still protected by end-to-end encryption.
Neither outsiders nor server operators or WhatsApp itself would be able to access the communication. The feature makes it difficult for authoritarian regimes to institute internet blocks.
However, this is still possible, especially since WhatsApp itself does not provide any servers. So it remains to be seen whether the volunteer-run servers will be enough to allow millions of oppressed people to communicate freely.
Here’s how to set up a proxy server on WhatsApp
However, the meta messenger provides the necessary software for free to set up a proxy server on WhatsApp. The corresponding function can be found in the menu under “Settings”. This applies to both Android, iOS and the web and desktop versions of WhatsApp.
In the settings you then click on the “Storage and data” tab and then select the “Proxy” sub-item. Here you can activate the “Use proxy” function via a slider. To establish a connection, the address of a corresponding server must be entered and confirmed with “Save”. A green check mark indicates a successful connection.
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