In the latest clampdown on Internet communications, the judge didn't reveal the name of the company, but Brazil's telecommunications companies have recently complained about the "unregulated and illegal" growth of WhatsApp.
When I know that Brazil has blocked Whatsapp pic.twitter.com/vJ1aJMvZC0
— 9GAG (@9GAG) December 17, 2015
WhatsApp allows users to call other members for free, infuriating traditional communications companies who have seen a dramatic decline in people signing up for mobile phone contracts.
Many members of Brazil's congress are lobbying for new laws to force Brazilian citizens to register their tax information, address and phone number in order to use websites and apps.
Tonight, a Brazilian judge blocked WhatsApp for more than 100 million people who rely on it in her country.We are…
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, December 17, 2015
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook — which owns WhatsApp — called the decision by a Sao Paulo judge "a sad day for Brazil."
"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," Zuckerberg said, in a message posted on his own Facebook page.
And by that, he means almost the entire population of the country, who are now banned from using the free instant messaging service.
