WhatsApp is no doubt one of the more popular mobile messaging services in the mobile market. Facebook has this and the Facebook Messenger as two of its busiest apps today. WhatsApp rivals a number of IM programs but in Brazil, users of the app may have to hold their breath, errr..fingers as the app has been blocked once again. The reason? It’s very simple as not submitting the data needed in a criminal investigation.
WhatsApp didn’t commit any crime. It just failed to submit the data being requested by a court. The block is only temporary for 72 hours but it can be annoying for avid users of the messaging platform. Phone companies were told by Judge Marcel Montalvao to block the app for 3 days. This is the second time since a similar order to block WhatsApp last December for 48 hours.
WhatsApp said they did cooperate with the local courts so they are disappointed with the decision. It’s a court decision that will affect over 100 million people in the country who regularly use the app for business and personal communication. Blocking the app must be followed or else a fine of $143,000 per day would be slapped on the mobile phone operators like Nextel, Claro SA, im Participacoes SA, Oi SA, and Telefonica Brasil SA.
VIA: Bloomberg
