WhatsApp has announced that, for the first time, it will allow the service to continue operating via proxy servers in order to avoid government blockades intended to censor its citizens.

"This means we're putting the power to maintain access to WhatsApp in people's hands if the connection is blocked or interrupted," WhatsApp announced in a press release. blog publication. "Choosing a 'proxy' allows you to connect to WhatsApp through servers created by volunteers and organizations around the world dedicated to helping people communicate freely."

The measure was announced as a reaction to Iran's attempt to block the messaging service in order to contain the protests resulting from the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of local authorities. WhatsApp assures that this type of connection will not impact its service's encryption of messages.

"We exist to connect the world privately. We support people's right to access private messages. We will not block Iranian numbers. We are working to keep our Iranian friends connected and will do everything within our technical capacity to keep our service up and running," reads a message shared by WhatsApp on Twitter and quoted by Notícias ao Minuto.