Since the internet in China is heavily regulated, popular services that are easily accessible in most countries across the globe are often banned in the country. Facebook happens to be one of those services. However, one of its major products was allowed to operate in the country. WhatsApp used to work in China until recently but it doesn’t now, at least not properly.
WhatsApp has long been able to avoid disruption in China even though the country has placed a complete ban on Facebook and Instagram. Now, though, it appears that the social network’s last major service in China is not safe from disruption as well.
Beijing has further tightened its control over the internet and has disrupted WhatsApp in the country. The country’s internet filters partly blocked WhatsApp and users were unable to send text messages.
The New York Times hears from a person familiar with the situation who claims that the WhatsApp ban originated with the government. Security experts have also said that the disruption in WhatsApp service in China started with the country’s internet filters.
Facebook has not yet commented on this development and it’s unclear if it’s in discussions with authorities in the country to remove the restrictions on its only major product that was not banned in China.