With the latest update, WhatsApp now allows users to share more types of content using the Proxy feature. This applies to sharing files, voice notes and stickers too, even in restrictive regions.
WhatsApp Upgrades Proxy Feature With Latest Updates
According to BBC Persian, WhatsApp has introduced major upgrades to its Proxy feature to facilitate better communications with privacy. As explained, with recent changes, WhatsApp users can exchange files, stickers, and more, with their contacts with an active Proxy feature.
With this change, WhatsApp aims to provide a better experience for its users facing censorship-related communications issues. WhatsApp has long been a victim of blocking and censorship in regions with blurred internet freedom. Governments do not like WhatsApp due to its built-in and default encryption which empowers users to keep their communications safe from online intruders. The only viable option, to this day, remains using spyware (for a remote attacker) or gaining physical access to the target user’s device.
Thus, repressive authorities simply consider blocking WhatsApp altogether as a workaround to access people’s communications. To combat this issue, WhatsApp launched a dedicated Proxy feature in January this year. With this feature, WhatsApp enabled users to continue using the app even after blocking.
The app provides users with proxy servers set up by volunteers and savvy organizations. The service also allows users to set up their own proxy servers to help other users connect freely.
The feature already supported private communications by configuring a “chat port” for texts and a “media port” for image sharing. And now, the recent upgrade allows them to send/receive voice messages, files, stickers, and GIFs. In addition, WhatsApp has also smoothened the proxy setup process, facilitating users to share viable proxies swiftly.
With these upgrades, WhatsApp has joined the list of messaging apps combating internet shutdowns and censorship. Before WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal also supported proxy setups through which they helped users to continue communicating with minimal interruptions.
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