China, Iran and three other countries where WhatsApp is banned

China's stringent censorship policies limit WhatsApp's functionalities. While users can resort to alternative methods like VPNs to access the platform, obstacles remain, particularly in making voice or video calls.

Iran's ban on WhatsApp stems from political unrest and protests. The country's supreme leader attributes the ban to a belief that WhatsApp, owned by Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is part of an alleged Zionist conspiracy.

In North Korea, internet access is a privilege restricted to the ruling elite. Those with permission to use the internet are barred from using foreign apps or websites, including WhatsApp, as part of the state's tight control over digital communication.

In the midst of a prolonged civil war, the Syrian government has intensified control over communication channels. WhatsApp is among the apps banned or disrupted, perceived as a tool for activists and rebels to coordinate and communicate.

Turkey blocked several social media apps, such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp. President Erdoğan's government met opposition from parliament and the public when suggesting a law to criminalise disinformation and increase control over social media. Turkish authorities also asked WhatsApp for user data, but the platform declined to comply.