FAQs
Over 180 countries allow WhatsApp; only five countries forbid WhatsApp use. In Which Country Is WhatsApp Banned? WhatsApp is banned in China, North Korea, Syria, Qatar and the UAE.
Why is WhatsApp banned in China? ›
China has barred the use of foreign messaging apps like WhatsApp for years due to the “Great Wall”' restrictions. This has resulted in other messaging platforms like WeChat and Weibo dominating the Chinese market.
Why did Syria ban WhatsApp? ›
Syria: WhatsApp is banned in Syria due to government efforts to control communication within the country and restrict access to information from outside sources. The ban is part of a broader internet censorship policy.
Is WhatsApp banned in Turkey in 2024? ›
Instagram was blocked in Turkey on Friday morning, while other platforms owned by parent company Meta like WhatsApp are still accessible. The Turkish Information and Communications Technologies Authority (BTK), the body responsible for monitoring the Internet, announced the decision without elaborating.
Is WhatsApp banned in Dubai? ›
If you are in Dubai, you will sadly not be able to make any WhatsApp calls to people using the app, since those functions have been limited by the government of Dubai. You can, however, access Whatsapp's texting feature, and share video messages or audio texts with your contacts.
Is WhatsApp banned in Japan? ›
This is not true, you can use Whatsapp in Japan. As mentioned by Swindell, the Japanese prefer to use LINE as their primary messaging application. What really makes LINE standout and popular is due to the stickers and games offered in the application.
What countries do not allow WhatsApp? ›
How Many Countries Allow WhatsApp? Over 180 countries allow WhatsApp; only five countries forbid WhatsApp use. In Which Country Is WhatsApp Banned? WhatsApp is banned in China, North Korea, Syria, Qatar and the UAE.
Is WhatsApp allowed in Saudi Arabia? ›
Yes, WhatsApp works in Saudi Arabia, but only partially. While a handful of countries have placed complete bans on WhatsApp, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a partial block in place. That restriction prevents WhatsApp users from using the app's voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.
Is WhatsApp blocked in Brazil? ›
Brazil's federal supreme court has suspended a judge's ruling ordering mobile phone companies to indefinitely block access to Facebook's WhatsApp – the third such decision against the popular phone messaging app in eight months.
Can you use WhatsApp in Russia? ›
WhatsApp is Russia's most popular messenger app. In fact, you probably have it on your phone already, as it's the world's favorite mobile messenger. If not, it should be on your download list.
VoIP services like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Facebook Messenger are currently banned in Qatar for security reasons. The government has not officially declared the use of VoIP illegal, and utilizing a VPN to access these services will not result in any consequences from authorities.
Is FaceTime illegal in Dubai? ›
Yes, you need a VPN to FaceTime in Dubai because it helps access the app, which is illegal in the UAE. Beware that using a VPN to unblock VoIP apps like FaceTime is also against the law and can cause you a penalty, such as fine or imprisonment.
Does WhatsApp work in Thailand? ›
Yes it does !! Line app has taken over in Thailand, check it out, also free and EZ to use. I communicate with my Thai friends on Whatsapp and I use it there when I have wifi access. So yes it does work.
What is China using instead of WhatsApp? ›
WeChat or Weixin in Chinese (Chinese: 微信; pinyin: Wēixìn (); lit. 'micro-message') is a Chinese instant messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent.
Why all apps are banned in China? ›
The Chinese government maintains tight control of which information sources are and aren't accessible in China, and this extends to apps as well. In many cases, apps and websites can only maintain access if they agree to cooperate with the Chinese government.
Is TikTok allowed in China? ›
China. China itself does not permit the international version of TikTok to be used on the mainland. Instead, users must download Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok which is subject to censorship from the Chinese Communist Party.
Is VPN legal in China? ›
Are VPNs in China illegal? Short answer: VPNs are not illegal in China, but their use is heavily restricted. Long answer: Using a VPN in China is not officially illegal. China allows VPN providers to operate as long as they cooperate with the state, which defeats the privacy purpose of having a VPN in the first place.