Sudan Blocks WhatsApp Calls Nationwide Citing Security Concerns
The Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (TPRA) announced the measure as a precautionary step to address potential security threats and safeguard national security and the country's paramount interests.
As of Friday, July 25, 2025, Sudan has implemented a nationwide restriction on WhatsApp voice and video calling services. The Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (TPRA) announced the measure as a precautionary step to address potential security threats and safeguard national security and the country’s paramount interests. This restriction will remain in effect until further notice.
Sudan’s move places it among several nations that have imposed similar limitations on WhatsApp calling features. Countries like the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Iran have enacted either complete or partial restrictions. China, for instance, has largely blocked WhatsApp, including both calls and messaging, as part of its stringent internet censorship framework. In these regions, domestic applications such as WeChat often dominate the communication landscape.
Despite these restrictions, WhatsApp calls can still be accessed in Sudan through the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications. VPNs establish a secure, encrypted connection over public networks, effectively masking the user’s IP address and encrypting data. This technology enables private internet Browse, access to geo-restricted content, and secure remote network connections.
WhatsApp, launched in 2009, is a widely used free American cross-platform messaging and calling application. It facilitates text and voice messages, voice and video calls, and the sharing of various media using an internet connection. The app is generally understood to employ end-to-end encryption, theoretically ensuring message privacy between sender and recipient. However, its ownership by Meta (formerly Facebook), a company with a history of privacy controversies, has led to some public skepticism regarding its security. Past incidents, such as the 2019 exploitation of a WhatsApp vulnerability by NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to target journalists and activists, and the 2021 global backlash over a privacy policy update (due to concerns about data sharing with Meta despite message encryption), have fueled these doubts. Some observers also believe governments may exert pressure on Meta to disclose user data.
With billions of monthly active users, WhatsApp is globally recognized as a leading messaging app. However, various alternative messaging applications exist, including Signal, Telegram, Botim, Session, Viber, and Imo. In Sudan, Botim and Viber are popular choices among users as alternatives to WhatsApp.
