WhatsApp has been blocked in Brazil for 72 hours but is there a way around it? Find out how to continue encrypted messaging during the government WhatsApp lockdown, here.
On Monday, a Brazilian Judge ordered a 72-hour WhatsApp block by cellular service providers beginning at 2 pm local time. If any company refused to comply they would face fines. This is the second time Brazil has placed a block on the end-to-end encrypted messaging app in the last 6 months.
Why Is WhatsApp Blocked In Brazil?
The block comes as part of an ongoing encryption battle waging in Brazil. Nearly six months ago, Brazilian authorities began requesting Facebook and WhatsApp help them obtain data related to a drug trafficking investigation. When both Facebook and WhatsApp stated they were unable to comply, a judge ordered a ban on WhatsApp for 48-hours in hopes of forcing compliance.
In 2014, Brazil’s President, Dilma Rousseff, signed a landmark Internet law, known as Marco Civil , which allowed judges to deal out harsh punishments to companies that don’t comply with data requests. It was this law that gave Brazilian judges the power to temporarily block WhatsApp.
Why WhatsApp Won’t Cooperate With Brazilian Authorities
No matter how the Brazilian courts might threaten and punish, the problem with WhatsApp is this: It can’t comply, even if it wanted to. Since last November, WhatsApp has offered end-to-end encrypted messaging to Android users. In April, the company extended that feature by default to iPhone, Windows and some Blackberry and Nokia phones users as well. In a post to users regarding end-to-end encryption the company wrote,
“When you send a message, the only person who can read it is the person or group chat that you send that message to. No one can see inside that message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us.”
Despite WhatsApp’s continued assertion that it cannot give Brazilian authorities the information they request, courts continue to try different strategies in hopes of accessing the desired data.
Two months ago, Judge Marcel Montalvao had Facebook’s vice president in Latin America, Diego Dzodan, arrested and detailed by police in Brazil in relation to the case. Then on Monday, the same judge ordered the 72-hour WhatsApp ban by cellular providers.
With 93% of Brazilians, from doctors to businessmen to everyday joes relying on the service for communication, the ban places a heavy strain on users who need it.
The ban prompted WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum to post this response on Facebook.
“Yet again millions of innocent Brazilians are being punished because a court wants WhatsApp to turn over information we repeatedly said we don’t have. Not only do we encrypt messages end-to-end on WhatsApp to keep people’s information safe and secure, we also don’t keep your chat history on our servers. When you send an end-to-end encrypted message, no one else can read it – not even us. While we are working to get WhatsApp back up and running as soon as possible, we have no intention of compromising the security of our billion users around the world.”
How To Get Around Brazil’s WhatsApp Block: Encrypted Messaging App Alternatives
While the December WhatsApp ban was lifted within 12 hours of it being issued, there’s no indication that the same thing will happen this time. As a result, many WhatsApp users may be looking for alternative secure chat and phone services to use either until the WhatsApp block ends or as a permanent solution. The EFF maintains an excellent encrypted messaging scorecard which can help you choose a good WhatsApp alternative, here. Below, we’ve featured some of the highest-ranking options along with links where you can download them.
Telegram (Secret Chats)
If you use Telegram’s secret chat feature, this received 100% on the EFF scorecard for privacy and security. Telegram offers similar services as WhatsApp, including phone calls, chats, group calls and web verison.
Telegram Download (All Platforms)
Signal
A free, encrypted phone call and messenger app for iOS and Android (company that powers WhatsApp encryption), received 100% on EFF scorecard for privacy and security.
Signal iOS Download Link
Signal Android Download Link
iMessage / FaceTime
Highly secure form of video, call and text messaging on Apple devices. However, if your secret keys are stolen, past communication may be accessible.
TextSecure
Text Secure is a free and open source encrypted chat client for Android and iPhone users. It received a 100% for privacy and security on the EFF Scorcard
TextSecure iOS Download Link
TextSecure Android Download Link
Jitsi
Jitsi is a free secure video calls and chat client for desktop users that received 5 out of 6 marks for privacy and security
Jitsi Microsoft Windows Download
Jitsi Mac OS X Download
