In reaction to the recent events in Iran and the restrictions on online communication, WhatsApp has introduced proxy support for all users worldwide. This allows users to continue using the messaging platform even if their connection is disrupted or blocked.
To help, today we’re launching proxy support for WhatsApp users all over the world. What this means is we’re putting the power into people’s hands to maintain access to WhatsApp if their connection is blocked or disrupted.
The WhatsApp blogpost
“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. Though in case these shutdowns continue, we hope this solution helps people wherever there is a need for secure and reliable communication.”
The proxy enables you to connect to the messaging platform through servers that volunteers or organisations from around the world have set up to provide free communication access. Significantly, it does not alter the high level of security and privacy that the app offers its users.
It has assured its users that their information is safe and away from the proxy server hosts, WhatsApp, and even Meta. However, for individuals using third-party proxies, it warns that your IP address may be visible to the proxy provider.
The messaging platform hopes this solution will assist people wherever there is a need for secure and reliable communication. This feature is currently available in the settings menu of the app’s latest version.
Read Also: Here is all you need to know about WhatsApp’s 3 new privacy features
How to set up a new proxy
Setting up a proxy using a server to help people reconnect to the messaging platform can be done following the detailed documentation and source code available on GitHub here.
The GitHub repository contains the WhatsApp proxy implementation for users to host their proxy infrastructure and to be able to connect to WhatsApp.
The proxy must also be set using a server with ports 80, 443, or 5222 available and a domain name (or subdomain) that points to the server’s IP address.
According to WhatsApp, it is important to share the addresses privately to only users who are unable to connect directly to the platform.
How to find a proxy server
The first step is to update your WhatsApp to the current version.
If you are using Android, click on the three dots in the Chats tab and go to Settings. In Settings, tap Storage and Data > Proxy. Tap on Use Proxy, tap Set Proxy, and enter the proxy address. Tap Save, and once that is done, you will see a green checkmark to show if the connection is successful.
For iPhone, go to WhatsApp Settings. In Settings, tap Storage and Data > Proxy. Tap on Use Proxy, tap Set Proxy, and enter the proxy address. Tap Save, and once that is done, you will also see a green checkmark to show if the connection is successful.
If you can still not send or receive messages, the proxy is blocked, and you will need to enter a new proxy address to try again.
Read Also: What is WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption feature and why should you be concerned?
WhatsApp and its enhanced security
WhatsApp is one of the best communication apps with very strong security, especially from third parties, with its end-to-end encryption.
While the app is the most used messaging platform in countries with strong authoritarian power, it has been having challenges providing its services there, which is why proxies have been introduced.
Although according to The Verge, the Meta-owned service was previously not in support of proxy and VPN configuration.
But the decision change might have been because the platform has seen that it is the best way to bypass government-mandated internet disruption, and the social messaging platform has adopted it into its services.
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