Sudan to Ban WhatsApp Calls Citing National Security Concerns
Sudan's Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority (TPRA) has announced a nationwide ban on WhatsApp voice and video calls, effective Friday, July 25, 2025. This significant restriction is officially attributed to national security concerns.
Details of the Ban:
Scope: The ban specifically targets voice and video calling functionalities within the WhatsApp application. Standard text messaging and group chat features will reportedly remain unaffected.
Official Justification: The TPRA describes the measure as a "precautionary restriction" intended to address potential security threats, safeguard national stability, and protect the country's paramount interests. However, the exact nature of these security threats has not been publicly specified.
Impact on Civilians: This decision is expected to severely disrupt communication for millions of Sudanese citizens, both domestically and internationally. In regions heavily affected by ongoing conflict, such as Darfur and South Kordofan, where traditional telecom networks are often unreliable or destroyed, WhatsApp's voice and video features have become a critical lifeline for communication, coordinating humanitarian aid, and maintaining contact with family members.
Widespread Criticism: The ban has drawn strong condemnation from activists and digital rights organizations, who view it as a direct infringement on freedom of communication. Critics suggest that the restriction may be driven less by genuine security concerns and more by a desire to control public discourse and suppress dissent amidst the country's current political crisis and ongoing conflict. Some also speculate about commercial motives, arguing that the ban could force users onto traditional, potentially more expensive, cellular calls, benefiting telecom companies.
User Workarounds: In response to the impending ban, many WhatsApp users in Sudan are reportedly seeking alternative methods to stay connected. These include utilizing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions, exploring satellite internet services like Starlink, or relying on foreign SIM cards. However, these workarounds typically involve higher costs, technical complexities, and potential legal uncertainties.
Historical Precedent: Sudan has a history of internet disruptions and social media blocks, frequently coinciding with periods of political unrest or conflict. This current measure, however, marks the first time the country has specifically targeted WhatsApp's calling features. This places Sudan alongside a small number of other nations, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have long-standing restrictions on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.
Digital policy experts suggest that this move reflects a complex interplay of security, political, and commercial motives. While the official justification emphasizes national security, the significant economic burden placed on civilians due to the loss of affordable communication remains largely unaddressed.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
