Since these instant messaging services send encrypted messages they can't be read by local authorities, which is why governments are usually hostile to these services.
They even got shut down temporarily in some countries, but they always come back somehow. Well, it looks like it won't be the case in the UK where WhatsApp and other services like it are aimed by a controversial new legislation.
According to
Express.co.uk, WhatsApp, iMessage, but also other popular messaging services might be banned in the UK because they encrypt messages between users.
In the coming weeks, UK's Prime Minister David Cameron will be looking to put his Snoopers' Charter plan under Parliament's supervision and if the new legislation is passed, then all three messaging services mentioned earlier will be banned in the United Kingdom.
“In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between people which we cannot read?” said Prime Minister Cameron earlier this year. "My answer to that question is: 'No, we must not'.”
Is UK really going to ban these popular messaging services?
If the new legislation will not be adopted by the UK, then the messaging services will continue to work as they do now. Otherwise they might be forced to allow governmental agencies access to their servers, but then the “bad guys” will find another secure way to communicate.
But if WhatsApp, Snapchat and iMessage get banned in the UK, that will sure set a bad example for other European countries which might be tempted to try and do the same.
There will most likely be a backlash from WhatsApp, iMessage and Snapchat users the moment the new legislation will be announced, but that will probably not matter for politicians.
We can only hope that communication through whichever messaging service you want will continue to remain available in the UK
