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Tag: Proxy

  • WhatsApp Launches Worldwide Proxy Support

    WhatsApp Launches Worldwide Proxy Support

    WhatsApp is making it easier for users to stay connected despite disruptions, with worldwide proxy support.

    WhatsApp is the most used messaging platform globally, and is used as a primary means of communication for many. Because of this, as well as its end-to-end encryption support, WhatsApp is often a prime target for governments and oppressive regimes.

    “Our wish for 2023 is that these internet shutdowns never occur,” the company writes in a blog post. “Disruptions like we’ve seen in Iran for months on end deny people’s human rights and cut people off from receiving urgent help. Though in case these shutdowns continue, we hope this solution helps people wherever there is a need for secure and reliable communication.”

    The company’s “solution” to ensure users can stay connected is the launch of worldwide support for proxy connections.

    “Choosing a proxy enables you to connect to WhatsApp through servers set up by volunteers and organizations around the world dedicated to helping people communicate freely,” the blog continues. “If you have the ability to help others connect, you can learn how to set up a proxy here.”

    WhatsApp assures users that the service will still offer the same level of security and end-to-end encryption, even if users opt to connect via a proxy.

    “Connecting via proxy maintains the high level of privacy and security that WhatsApp provides,” the company adds. “Your personal messages will still be protected by end-to-end encryption — ensuring they stay between you and the person you’re communicating with and are not visible to anyone in between, not the proxy servers, WhatsApp, or Meta.”

    The announcement is good news for privacy advocates, journalists, and anyone else who needs to communicate under difficult circumstances or government oppression.

  • FYX No Longer Offering Its ‘Global Mode’ Workaround

    We reported this past week on FYX, the new ISP in New Zealand that offered a “Global Mode” that would have let its users access geo-blocked content like Netflix. Those plans have been dialed back as FYX rescinds the service only 48 hours after it went live.

    The Register is reporting that FYX pulled the option even though the whole idea behind the ISP was to offer its citizens a legal way around the unnecessary content blocks in the country. Without its advertised “Global Mode,” the ISP really has nothing that sets it apart from the other ISPs in the nation. It doesn’t seem that it’s gone for good though. It’s more like the service has gone into hiding while it works out all the legal ramifications.

    A statement on the Web site entitled, “FYX stop global mode. For now…” had this to say on the matter:

    FYX has a made a decision to withdraw its popular ‘global mode’ service from the market for the time being.

    FYX sincerely apologises to our customers and the New Zealand internet community for putting a halt to ‘global mode,’ which will happen tonight at 11.59pm.

    While legal opinions have supported FYX’s global mode under New Zealand law, there are matters that require further consideration before continuing the service.

    It’s true that the service is technically legal according to New Zealand law, but that didn’t stop the U.S. from breaking into a private New Zealand resident’s house under an unlawful court order because Big Media said he infringed on their copyright.

    I assume that FYX is probably going to bring back “Global Mode” but on a much more limited scale. It would appear that consumers wanting to legally watch programs on Netflix and the like are going to have to stick to using proxies or use the overpriced, monopolistic video delivery service offered by local ISPs.

    In perhaps an attempt to at least retain or attract customers after losing its only worthwhile service, FYX has lowered its price to $30.30 a month with $0.30 per GB. The ISP claims it will “continue to work for the benefit of New Zealand consumers.”

    “Global Mode” would have been to the benefit of New Zealand customers as they, alongside Australia, have to put up with higher fees for digital content that other nations get for less. Here’s hoping that FYX is able to offer “Global Mode” again sooner rather than later. Not everybody knows how to set up a proxy.