Brazil bans Whatsapp!

Brazil has blocked Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app, preventing users in the country from connecting to service or sending messages. Tonight, a Brazilian judge blocked WhatsApp for more than 100 million people who rely on it.

A Brazilian court ordered mobile phone providers to block all access to the internet-based messaging service on Wednesday for a total of 48 hours, starting at midnight on Thursday (December 17, 2015), according to Brazilian phone company association Sinditelebrasil.

The first criminal court of São Bernardo do Campo said in a statement: “WhatsApp did not respond to a court order, dated 23 July, 2015. On 7 August , 2015, the company was notified again of being subject to fixed penalty in case of non-compliance.”

Most popular app in Brazil

WhatsApp has more than 900 million daily active users globally, of which 93 million live in Brazil. According to data from research firm Opinion Box, 86% of Brazilians have used WhatsApp, while other research points to more than 90%, making it the most used app in the country above Facebook.

Mark Zuckerberg, posted on his Facebook page about Brazilian court’s decision in both English and Portuguese languages:” We are working hard to get this block reversed. Until then, Facebook Messenger is still active and you can use it to communicate instead. This is a sad day for Brazil. Until today, Brazil has been an ally in creating an open internet. Brazilians have always been among the most passionate in sharing their voice online. I am stunned that our efforts to protect people's data would result in such an extreme decision by a single judge to punish every person in Brazil who uses WhatsApp. We hope the Brazilian courts quickly reverse course. If you're Brazilian, please make your voice heard and help your government reflect the will of its people. #‎ConnectBrazil 

By the night of December 17, we are able to connect to Whatsapp in Brazil. We hope to see Whatsapp back again in Brazil. Brazilians have already started to protest this decision on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

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Writer: Said Murat - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Brezilyadan.com