"Back the information": Dozens of Israelis Blocked on WhatsApp Without Explanation
The Israeli Internet Association says that over the weekend dozens of requests were received from users whose WhatsApp accounts were blocked without explanation. The association contacted Meta, demanding clarifications, and recommends that all users back up important information and prepare for the possibility of additional blocks.
During the weekend, dozens of calls were received by the safe internet helpline of the Israeli Internet Association from users who reported that their WhatsApp account had been blocked without a clear reason. According to the association, the callers lost access to the application, and in many cases even after submitting an appeal through WhatsApp’s appeals mechanism, the accounts were not restored. Following the increase in reports, the association warns that it may be a wave of blocks that could expand, and calls on the public to back up important information stored in the app already now.
In the Israeli Internet Association stated that they urgently contacted Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, asking it to help the affected users and clarify the source of the phenomenon. However, as of the time of publication of the notice, no official response had yet been received, and the reason for the blocks is still unknown.
"We turned to Meta with an urgent request to help the many callers and receive an explanation of the phenomenon, but until this moment the reason is still unclear and it appears to be a malfunction that has not yet been addressed," the association said. They also mentioned that WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in Israel, and according to the Israeli Internet Association data it is used by 99% of the adult population. According to them, the only factor capable of addressing the malfunction and restoring access to the accounts that were blocked is Meta.
The association also warns against attempts to take advantage of the situation. According to them, users whose accounts were blocked should not agree to paid offers from parties that promise to remove the block. "To the best of our knowledge, there is no option for a party that is not Meta to handle this," it was stated. The recommendation is to submit an appeal through the block notice and contact WhatsApp directly until a response is received.
At the same time, the association calls on users whose accounts are still active to take precautionary steps. Among other things, it is recommended to back up photos, documents, and any important information stored in WhatsApp, and also to ensure that alternative ways to contact family members, friends, or professional parties exist, in case their account is also blocked in the coming days.
According to the association, the current event illustrates the almost complete reliance of the public in Israel on a single communications service.
"The current wave of blocks is another reminder of centralization and the excessive reliance of the public in Israel on an application that, unfortunately, does not provide a sufficient response and full service in the event of a malfunction," it was stated. In the association, they call on the state to demand full transparency from Meta regarding how the malfunction is handled, alongside providing a rapid response to Israeli users who were left without access to one of their main communications tools.
