Popular instant messaging service WhatsApp has introduced support for proxy servers in the latest versions of its Android and iOS apps. This allows users to avoid government-imposed censorship and internet shutdowns.
“By choosing a proxy, he can connect to his WhatsApp through servers set up by volunteers and organizations around the world, allowing people to communicate freely,” owned by Meta the company said.
A proxy acts as an intermediary between the end user and his provider of services, forwarding requests originating from clients to servers and forwarding responses to devices.
Users can access the option by going to Settings > Storage & data > Proxy > Use proxy and entering the address of a trusted proxy server.
Used by more than 2 billion of his users worldwide, WhatsApp also offers a reference implementation that can be used to set up proxy his servers so that other users can connect to the service.
The company emphasizes that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) protection is guaranteed even when connecting through a proxy server, and message content is not accessible from the server, WhatsApp or Meta.
“When you use a third-party proxy, your IP address is shared with the proxy provider,” warns his WhatsApp help center page. “No third-party proxy is provided by his WhatsApp.”
The announcement comes after widespread outcry in Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. It came months after we restricted access to WhatsApp.
In September 2022, encrypted messaging tool Signal, also blocked in Iran, asked users to set up proxy servers to allow Iranians to circumvent restrictions and communicate through the platform. .