WhatsApp has announced a new proxy server support feature to allow people to use the app in countries where it is blocked. You will have to use a third-party proxy server for that. But is it trustworthy? Let’s find out.
What’s In The New Proxy Support Feature?
WhatsApp is banned, blocked, or restricted in many countries. People from these countries could not use this app up until now. But now, they can connect to the app via a proxy server from a third-party organization.
This will allow people to communicate via WhatsApp even if the authority shuts the app down. Choosing a third-party proxy server will allow users to connect to WhatsApp worldwide, helping people communicate freely.
The feature works by connecting the user’s device to a third-party proxy server. This proxy server will then send all your messages and calls to the destination. So, your device does not need to be connected directly to the WhatsApp server, allowing you to bypass any blocks.
Additional safety features like encryption and authentication are available here. So, your user data will be protected, and only the intended recipient will get the message. Nobody else will be able to access user data or messages without authentication.
WhatsApp says anyone can set up a proxy server using 80, 443, or 5222 available ports. The feature will be in your WhatsApp setting menu’s Storage and Data section.
WhatsApp came up with this proxy support feature to bypass censorship and access the app in areas where it is blocked. You can use it on both Android and iOS.
Can You Trust It?
Now, the big question arises, is it trustworthy? Well, the problem with this new proxy server feature is that anyone, absolutely anyone, can set up a proxy server. So, it’s not about whether you trust WhatsApp for the setting; it’s about whether you trust the third-party server.
Since anyone can set up a proxy server, it’s a de facto risk and a safety concern. Again, proxy servers will not encrypt your connection as a VPN does. So, even if your messages and user data are encrypted, the third-party server will know your IP address.
Apart from that, there’s no threat of your messages being intercepted by a malicious actor. WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption; only the intended person can see the messages.
Moreover, your user data and messages will remain safe even when you send over public networks like WiFi, hotspots, etc. You can also see blocked content in your area using a proxy server. So, apart from your IP address is visible, you can trust the new proxy server feature of WhatsApp.
Final Thought
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You may want to use a VPN for WhatsApp, where it is blocked. You can do that as well. The good thing about VPS is that it won’t reveal your IP address. But using VPN is a punishable offense in many places. That’s why you can use the new proxy server support of WhatsApp, just make sure the proxy server is safe.