WhatsApp Calls Activated in Saudi Arabia: Permanent or Temporary Test

On Saturday, many WhatsApp users in Saudi Arabia reported that voice and video calls had suddenly become available after being restricted for several years. This unexpected change has raised a lot of questions, especially since there has been no official announcement confirming whether the activation is a permanent change or just a temporary test.

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The surprise activation has caught people’s attention, particularly because authorities haven’t shared any details. Technology expert Abdullah Al Subaie mentioned that this move might be part of Saudi Arabia’s larger plan to improve its telecommunications and digital infrastructure. If true, this could lead to better communication for users across the country.

WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, introduced voice calls in 2015 and video calls in 2016. However, both of these features have been blocked in Saudi Arabia due to local regulations. There have been some occasional reports of WhatsApp calls briefly working, but these were usually linked to temporary technical updates rather than any official policy change.

Earlier this year, in March 2024, there were rumors that the ban on WhatsApp calls had been lifted. However, Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, and Technology Commission quickly denied the claims, insisting that the calls were still blocked.

If this recent activation of WhatsApp calls turns out to be permanent, it would be a big step forward in improving connectivity within Saudi Arabia.