Despite its extensive global reach and over two billion active users, WhatsApp is subject to restrictions and bans in several countries due to regulatory issues.
Recently, WhatsApp faced scrutiny in Nigeria, where the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220 million fine for alleged data privacy violations.
The FCCPC accused WhatsApp of breaching the Consumer Protection Act and Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) by pre-ticking users’ terms, restricting their ability to opt out of data sharing, and sharing data without explicit consent.
This has led to discussions about the potential withdrawal of certain WhatsApp services from Nigeria.
Beyond Nigeria, several other countries have imposed restrictions on WhatsApp’s functionalities:
Qatar: Audio and video calls on WhatsApp are restricted, though messaging remains accessible.
Saudi Arabia: Like Qatar, audio and video calling features are limited, while text messaging continues.
Egypt: The government has restricted audio and video calls, but messaging via WhatsApp is still permitted.
United Arab Emirates (UAE): Audio and video calls are restricted, with messaging features remaining operational.
China: WhatsApp is banned entirely, with the Chinese government enforcing strict controls on internet and communication services.
Iran: The app is blocked, with users often relying on VPNs to access WhatsApp and other restricted platforms.
Syria: WhatsApp is among several Western apps banned by the Syrian government.
North Korea: The app is inaccessible, as the country heavily controls and restricts internet access and communication tools.
In these countries, the restrictions are often motivated by concerns over information control, national security, and the promotion of local telecommunications companies.
While messaging services remain in some regions, WhatsApp’s limitations on audio and video calls reflect ongoing regulatory challenges.
