A Brazilian judge imposed a ruling to block the use of messaging app WhatsApp for 48 hours. The block was forced after WhatsApp failed to comply with an order in a criminal case.

Reports claim that the shutdown is linked to an ongoing criminal proceeding in Sao Bernardo do Campo, but the judge did not disclose details about the shutdown or the case since it is under seal. Following the order to block WhatsApp, a higher court deemed that the blockage is unconstitutional and ordered that the service will be restored.

Like Us on Facebook

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whose company owns WhatsApp, said in a statement that the judicial decision stemmed from efforts imposed in order to protect user data. Zuckerberg added that more than 100 million people use WhatsApp's services in Brazil.

Statistics claim that 93 percent of Brazil's Internet users relies on WhatsApp as their primary communication platform. The messaging service is popular among the younger generation and the poor who take advantage of the platform's free internet telephone service and free text messaging service.

Following the blockage, Brazilian WhatsApp users vented their anger and frustrations on various social media platforms such as Twitter. While some expressed their anger, some Brazilians also joked about how dependent they have become on WhatsApp

In a separate port, WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum criticized the decision made by the Brazilian court to close the service. Koum posted, "We are disappointed in the short-sighted decision to cut off access to WhatsApp, a communication tool that so many Brazilians have come to depend on, and sad to see Brazil isolate itself from the rest of the world."

During this temporary blockage, Zuckerberg said that WhatsApp users in Brazil can use Facebook Messenger until full service is restored. Reports claim that WhatsApp competitors like Telegram and Viber surge into popularity following the blockage.

TagsWhatsApp, WhatsApp latest news, WhatsApp news, WhatsApp blockage, WhatsApp Brazil, WhatsApp blocked, Brazil WhatsApp