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Countries That Have Blocked or Restricted WhatsApp

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WhatsApp has faced restrictions in several countries, ranging from complete bans to partial or temporary limitations.

Fully Blocked:

  • China: Blocking started in 2017 via the Great Firewall. Users rely on WeChat instead.

  • North Korea: WhatsApp is generally inaccessible alongside Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other platforms since 2016.

Partial Block / VoIP Restrictions:

  • Russia: Began restricting some WhatsApp calls in 2025 due to Meta’s failure to share information in fraud and terrorism cases.

  • United Arab Emirates (UAE): VoIP services were banned in 2017, though text messaging remains functional. Calls were temporarily allowed during Expo Dubai in 2020.

  • Qatar: VoIP calls restricted; messaging works normally.

  • Egypt: No full ban on calls, but authorities have attempted to throttle them.

  • Jordan: VoIP call restrictions in place.

Intermittent or Temporary Bans:

  • Iran: Previously banned, lifted restrictions last year as part of broader internet policy changes.

  • Turkey: No current ban, but WhatsApp has been blocked in the past over domestic issues.

  • Uganda: Banned WhatsApp in 2021 as retaliation for Facebook restrictions, now lifted.

  • Cuba: Temporarily restricted social media and messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, in 2021.

  • United States: WhatsApp is banned on all U.S. House of Representatives devices as of June 2025.

These restrictions vary widely, often targeting VoIP calls rather than text messaging, and can be temporary or intermittent depending on local regulations.

Iran’s Nobitex Crypto Exchange Hit by Hackers, $90 Million in Funds Destroyed

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A powerful anti-Iranian hacking group known as Gonjeshke Darande (Predatory Sparrow) claimed responsibility on Wednesday for a devastating cyberattack on Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The attack allegedly destroyed around $90 million in digital assets and threatened to leak the platform’s source code.

This marks the group’s second strike in two days, following an earlier operation targeting Bank Sepah, a state-owned Iranian bank. The campaign comes amid escalating tensions and missile exchanges between Israel and Iran.

The hackers claim Nobitex aids the Iranian regime in evading sanctions and financing militant groups, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Yemen’s Houthis. Blockchain forensics firm Elliptic confirmed these ties in a blog post, noting that funds had been exchanged between Nobitex and wallets linked to those entities.

Early Wednesday, funds were transferred from Nobitex to hacker-controlled wallets displaying anti-IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) messages. Analysis by TRM Labs and Chainalysis confirmed that approximately $90 million in cryptocurrency was irretrievably “burned” in the operation, meaning the attackers intentionally rendered the assets inaccessible as a political statement.

Elliptic noted that the structure of the hacker wallets ensured that even the attackers could not access the stolen assets.

Nobitex confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that it had taken its website and app offline due to “unauthorized access.” Its Telegram support channels did not respond to inquiries.

The cyberattack adds to a growing list of high-profile hacks by Predatory Sparrow, which has previously disabled Iranian infrastructure, including gas stations and steel mills. Though Israel has never officially claimed the group, its operations are widely considered to align with Israeli cyber interests.

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Angus King recently highlighted Nobitex’s suspected role in Iranian sanctions evasion in a letter to the Biden administration, citing prior Reuters investigations from 2022.

Cybersecurity experts warn that this breach could further inflame geopolitical tensions while demonstrating the increasing use of blockchain technology in modern cyber warfare.

Key Countries Watching U.S. Presidential Election Outcomes

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As the U.S. presidential election approaches, several countries are keenly observing the vote, recognizing the potential implications for global stability, economic health, and security. The outcomes could significantly influence geopolitical dynamics, especially for nations like Ukraine, China, Russia, Israel, and Iran.

China
China, the U.S.’s primary economic competitor, is closely monitoring the election results. Former President Donald Trump has indicated a desire to revive the trade war initiated during his previous administration, suggesting substantial tariff increases on Chinese imports. He has proposed raising tariffs by 60-100%, which could significantly impact American households by raising consumer costs. Although Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has criticized such sweeping tariffs, a Democratic administration may still maintain existing tariffs imposed during President Biden’s tenure. As China faces economic challenges, including sluggish consumer confidence and a housing slump, the election’s outcome may dictate the size of its forthcoming stimulus measures.

Ukraine
For Ukraine, the stakes are exceptionally high. The country remains reliant on U.S. military aid amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. Analysts suggest that a Trump presidency could lead to reduced support for Ukraine, potentially jeopardizing its territorial integrity. Trump has claimed he could resolve the conflict quickly but would likely press Ukraine into negotiations that could cost it significant territory currently under Russian control. Conversely, while Harris has promised continued support for Ukraine, her ability to secure additional funding may depend on Congress’s composition. The outcome of the election may force Ukraine to reconsider its reliance on U.S. support.

Israel and Iran
The Middle East also watches closely as both candidates pledge strong support for Israel. Trump has cultivated a reputation as a protector of Israel, highlighting past decisions that favor Israeli interests, such as recognizing Jerusalem as its capital. Polling indicates that many Israelis favor Trump for their national interests over Harris. In contrast, Harris has faced scrutiny for her criticism of Israeli military actions but has reaffirmed her commitment to Israel’s right to defense.

As for Iran, experts predict that a Trump administration could escalate tensions, possibly allowing for more aggressive actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Harris, on the other hand, is likely to maintain a diplomatic approach, continuing Biden’s policy of de-escalation in the region.

In summary, the U.S. election carries profound implications not only for American politics but also for global affairs, with countries like China, Ukraine, Israel, and Iran poised to react to the new administration’s policies.