After Viber, soon WhatsApp and Skype are expected to be blocked in Saudi Arabia

Viber was blocked in KSA around a month ago because Viber denied to provide decryption to their messaging to Saudi Government, although immediately after that Viber claimed they would come up with a work around but they couldn’t, I guess they forgot that at the end of the day they are dependent on the Operators and ISPs and without them, Mobile Apps are absolutely worthless.

 

It seems WhatsApp and Skype are about to face the same fate. Viber was big but still not as big as WhatsApp or Skype. If this happens then BBM can get a great boost because it is one of the most popular Messengers in the World, it is the most famous Messenger in KSA, it now supports Voice and Video Chats as well and it is expected to arrive on iOS and Android by September of this year. And the biggest advantage is that it would not be blocked as it has already provided its support to the government.

 

But if unlike me you don’t own a BB then to be on the safe side, I would recommend to install an alternative app which serves the same purpose so that you don’t loose contact with your contacts. Here is a list of apps which are already in use in KSA and some are quite popular and are not blocked yet: (click on the name for details)

 

• WeChat Messenger

• LINE

• Tango Messenger

• ChatON Messenger

• FooTalk Messenger

• XMS Messenger

• Fring Messenger

• KakaoTalk Messenger

• Firetalk Messenger

• imsy messenger

• Tellit Messenger

• Scydo Messenger

• Ravid Video Messenger

• Jongla Messenger

• Maaii Messenger

• FreePP Messenger

• AppTones Messenger

• VPHO Messenger

• Cubie Messenger

• Yelo Messenger

• MaraConnect Messenger

• Plingm Messenger

• Fondora

• EVERY8D

• Rebtel

• Voypi

• Bubbly Messenger

• jusChat Messenger

• GO SMS Messenger

• Mobyler–Free VoIP Calls

 

I think WeChat Messenger would replace WhatsApp and Tango Messenger would replace Skype. Let me know in comments if you think some other Messaging App is better.

 

-urShadow