Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- WhatsApp has announced proxy support in the messaging app.
- This allows users to bypass government efforts to crack down on WhatsApp.
Many governments around the world crack down on internet services, be it due to political unrest, protests in general, or for other reasons. Thankfully, WhatsApp has a solution with its latest feature.
The Meta-owned company has announced proxy support in WhatsApp, allowing people to stay connected to the messaging service if it’s blocked or disrupted by authorities.
“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,” the company explained. WhatsApp also noted that messages sent and received via a proxy still offer end-to-end encryption, but cautions that your IP address will be shared with third-party proxy providers.
Want to connect to WhatsApp via a proxy? Then the team suggests that you first search the web or social media to find a proxy from a reputable source. You’ll then need to visit Settings > Storage and Data > Proxy > Use Proxy > Set Proxy. From here, you’ll then enter the desired proxy address and tap save.
It’s worth noting that this solution won’t work if internet connectivity is completely shut down in a country. So you’ll have to rely on peer-to-peer messaging apps instead. But this is still a handy tool for people in authoritarian regimes.
