Meta-owned platform Whatsapp has recently announced a game-changing update that allows users to send messages even when the internet is down.
The social media platform disclosed that this update was launched to ensure that users will be able to send messages even when there is a disruption of the internet, a case study of Iran.
Meta further disclosed that this feature was launched to safeguard the human rights of people as well as prevent them from being cut off from receiving urgent help.
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The company said via a statement,
“Our wish for 2023 is that these internet shutdowns never occur. Disruptions like we’ve seen in Iran for months on end deny people’s human rights and cut people off from receiving urgent help.
“In case these shutdowns continue, we hope this solution helps people wherever there is a need for secure and reliable communication.”
The launch of this feature is coming following a response to mass government opposition and protest in Iran. This spurred the Iranian government to launch an extensive shut down of the internet in September last year, that drastically limited all digital communication in the country.
However, with Whatsapp’s latest feature, users can gain access to the platform by using a proxy server which acts like a virtual bridge that links them to the internet which may be their WiFi or data from their smartphone provider.
Using a proxy server can help them to connect to the desired app or website when their previous method has been blocked. WhatsApp has further offered guidance on its blog, on how users can use a proxy server.
The WhatsApp blog reads, “Choosing a proxy enables you to connect to WhatsApp through servers set up by volunteers and organizations around the world dedicated to helping people communicate freely.
“Connecting via proxy maintains the high level of privacy and security that WhatsApp provides.
“Your personal messages will still be protected by end-to-end encryption — ensuring they stay between you and the person you’re communicating with and are not visible to anyone in between, not the proxy servers, WhatsApp, or Meta.”
How to connect to proxy servers: According to WhatsApp, Android and iPhone users will go through the following process to connect to proxy servers whenever there is an internet shutdown:
For Android users
- Make sure you are using the most current version of WhatsApp.
- In the Chats tab, tap More options > Settings.
- Tap Storage and Data > Proxy.
- Tap Use Proxy.
- Tap Set Proxy and enter the proxy address.
- Tap Save.
- A check mark will show if the connection is successful.
- If you are still unable to send or receive WhatsApp messages using a proxy, that proxy may have been blocked. You can long-press the blocked proxy address to delete it, then enter a new proxy address to try again.
For iPhone users
- Make sure you are using the most current version of WhatsApp.
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap Storage and Data > Proxy.
- Tap Use Proxy.
- Enter the proxy address and tap Save to connect.
- A check mark will show if the connection is successful.
- If you are still unable to send or receive WhatsApp messages using a proxy, that proxy may have been blocked. Try again using a different proxy address.
Note: Use of a third-party proxy will share your IP address with the proxy provider. Third-party proxies are not provided by WhatsApp.