Meta’s WhatsApp has rolled out an update to its proxy functionality to give you more flexibility in the types of content you can share in your conversations.
This includes the ability to send and receive images, voice notes, files, stickers and GIFs, WhatsApp told The Hacker News. This new feature was first reported by BBC Persian.
Other improvements include streamlined instructions to simplify the setup process and a new feature to “share a working/valid proxy address with your contacts for easy and automatic installation.” Includes the introduction of shareable links.
Proxy server support was officially launched by the messaging service in early January of this year, allowing users to bypass government censorships and internet blockages and access WhatsApp indirectly.
The company also provides a reference implementation for setting up a proxy server with port 80, 443, or 5222 available and a domain name pointing to the server’s IP address.
“A proxy server is an intermediary gateway between WhatsApp and an external server,” WhatsApp said. “Users may regularly search for trusted accounts on social media.
Post your verified proxy address so you can add it to your WhatsApp account. ”
Internet shutdowns are becoming more common around the world during crises, conflicts, mob violence, and to prevent cheating in exams. Authorities in 35 countries have implemented at least 187 internet shutdowns in 2022, and the number has already reached 80 in the first five months of 2023.
India alone has implemented 84 shutdowns in 2022, making it the leading democracy to implement intentional restrictions for the fifth year in a row.
