Where is WhatsApp blocked?

WhatsApp is blocked, restricted or age-gated in 13 countries and territories — 7 complete bans and 6 partial restrictions in total.

See it in the interactive index →

Egypt

Partial restriction Since: Longstanding Reported Reuters

Egypt does not impose a blanket ban on WhatsApp calling, but authorities have repeatedly throttled or interfered with VoIP features; messaging generally works.

Eritrea

Complete ban Since: Ongoing Reported

Gabon

Complete ban Since: 18/02/2026 Enforced OONI Explorer

Gabon's media regulator, the High Authority for Communication, ordered social media suspended indefinitely in February 2026 amid labour unrest, citing fake news, cyberbullying and data violations. OONI measurements show WhatsApp app and Web connections refused since 18 February 2026, though not uniformly on every network.

Islamic Republic of Iran

Complete ban Since: June 2025 Reported Al Jazeera

Islamic Republic of Iran briefly lifted its WhatsApp ban in December 2024, then cut access again amid the June 2025 conflict with Israel; as of May 2026 authorities say reinstatement is not under consideration.

Jordan

Partial restriction Since: Longstanding Reported Reuters

Jordanian telecom operators restrict WhatsApp VoIP: voice and video calls are frequently blocked on mobile networks while messaging still works.

North Korea

Complete ban Since: Forever Reported Wikipedia

People's Republic of China

Complete ban Since: September 2017 Reported Freedom House

Qatar

Partial restriction Since: Longstanding Reported Reuters

Qatar restricts unlicensed VoIP services: WhatsApp voice and video calls are blocked on local networks, while messaging still works.

Russia

Complete ban Since: 11/02/2026 Reported CNN

Russia blocked WhatsApp voice and video calls in August 2025, throttled the app nationwide from November, then fully blocked it on 11 February 2026 — pushing its roughly 100 million Russian users towards the state-run Max messenger.

Sudan

Partial restriction Since: 25/07/2025 Reported Radio Dabanga

Sudan's Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority suspended WhatsApp voice and video calls nationwide from 25 July 2025 as a national-security measure; text messaging and group chats remain available.

Turkmenistan

Complete ban Since: Forever Reported Wikipedia

Uganda

Partial restriction Since: 18/01/2026 Enforced OONI Explorer

Following the 15 January 2026 general election — held during a five-day total internet shutdown — attempted WhatsApp connections were refused on major networks including MTN from 18 January 2026 onward. The Uganda Communications Commission confirmed social media restrictions remain in place.

United Arab Emirates

Partial restriction Since: Longstanding Reported Freedom House

WhatsApp voice and video calls are blocked in the United Arab Emirates, where unlicensed VoIP services are prohibited; messaging works normally.