Bangladesh blocks WhatsApp, mypeople, Line over 'security concerns'

Bangladesh has blocked three more instant messaging and VoIP applications, including WhatsApp, citing 'security concerns'.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 19 Jan 2015, 12:18 PM
Updated : 19 Jan 2015, 12:19 PM

The move comes a day after shutting traffic to Viber and Tango, two other popular messaging applications, over same reasons.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) ordered the International Internet Gateway (IIG) on Monday to shut WhatsApp, mypeople and Line.

Several IIG institutions say they have been ordered to keep these applications blocked until Jan 21 midnight.

Intelligence and security agencies say terrorists and militants had been using instant messengers to get in touch with each other as it was not possible to keep a tab on communications made through such apps.

RAB Additional Director General Ziaul Ahsan said they recommended blocking such applications in Bangladesh considering these issues.

BTRC Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told bdnews24.com: "We've asked for temporarily blocking these applications at the home ministry's request."