Sudan to Block WhatsApp Voice and Video Calls Over Security Concerns
Regulator cites national security as reason for new communication restriction
- Sudan to block WhatsApp voice and video calls starting Friday
- Regulator cites national security concerns amid ongoing conflict
- Text and group chat features will remain unaffected
Sudan’s telecommunications regulator has announced a ban on voice and video calls through WhatsApp, citing national security risks as the country continues to grapple with conflict.
Starting Friday, all WhatsApp call features will be restricted “until further notice,” according to a statement released by the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority. The move is intended as a “precautionary measure” to protect Sudan’s national interests.
This decision deals a major blow to millions of Sudanese who rely on WhatsApp for everyday communication, especially in war-torn regions like Darfur and Kordofan, where traditional mobile and internet infrastructure has been severely damaged. Voice notes and calls have become lifelines for families and communities amid ongoing chaos.
The regulator clarified that text messaging and group chat features on WhatsApp will remain available. However, the ban is expected to significantly affect Sudanese diaspora communities, many of whom depend on WhatsApp video calls to keep in touch with loved ones back home while avoiding costly international calling charges.
In its statement, the authority apologized for the inconvenience and thanked users for putting “the nation’s interest above personal convenience.”
This is the first time Sudan has enacted a targeted restriction on WhatsApp’s voice and video features.
The country now joins a list of nations, including the UAE, that enforce similar limitations on internet-based communication tools.
