WhatsApp instant messaging service opened in 2023 with the launch of a long-awaited feature, which is enabling users to bypass blocking and monitoring.
WhatsApp – owned by Meta – said in a post on its blog: “Happy New Year to everyone who uses WhatsApp! We are aware that just as we celebrated the beginning of 2023 through text messages or private calls, there are still many people who are still denied the ability to reach their loved ones due to the shutdown of the internet.”
To help these disadvantaged users, the company today announced proxy support for WhatsApp users around the world, with the goal of enabling users to maintain access to WhatsApp in the event of a blocked or disconnected connection.
The company explained that choosing to connect through a proxy enables users to connect to WhatsApp through servers created by volunteers and organizations from around the world dedicated to helping users communicate freely.
WhatsApp invited those who are able to help others connect by creating a contact agent to contribute.
Emphasizing the privacy of users, the company said that the connection through the proxy maintains the high level of privacy and security provided by the service. “And your personal messages will remain protected with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that they remain between you and the person you are communicating with, and are invisible to anyone in between, as neither proxy servers, nor WhatsApp, nor META can see them.”
“Our wish for 2023 is that these internet shutdowns never happen,” the company said. Unrest, like the one we have seen in Iran for months on end, deprives people of their rights and prevents them from receiving urgent assistance.”
“Even as these lockdowns continue, we hope this solution will help people wherever a secure and reliable connection is needed,” she added.
This, and the new security option is now available in the settings menu for every user using the latest version of the WhatsApp application.
Connect to a proxy on Android
The new option for WhatsApp users on the Android system can be accessed by clicking – in the Chats tab – on the three dots in the upper left corner, then clicking on Settings, then the Storage and Data option, then scrolling down to the last option. Proxy, then click on Proxy Settings, then enable Proxy use.
There is a warning from WhatsApp: “Do not use a proxy unless you are unable to connect to WhatsApp. Your IP address may be shown to the proxy service provider. It is not WhatsApp.
Below the warning is the Set Proxy option where the user can enter the proxy address they have. Then finally click on the Save option. Then a green check mark will appear if the connection through the proxy was successful.
If the user is still unable to send or receive WhatsApp messages using a proxy, then that proxy might be blocked. So you can long click on the blocked proxy address to delete it, then enter a new proxy address to try again.
Contact an agent on iPhone
As is the case on Android, the option can be accessed by going to Settings, then the Storage and data option, then the proxy option, then the option to use the proxy, then entering the proxy address and clicking on the save option to connect.
This, users can download the WhatsApp application for Android through the Google Play Store, and for the iOS system through the App Store from Apple. The application can also be downloaded for other mobile and desktop devices through its official website.
