MIAMI, United States. — The WhatsApp instant messaging application has canceled Cuban user accounts for using pirated versions of it on the island.
This is a measure that has generated concern and discomfort among those who have been affected.
WhatsApp is owned by the American company Meta and has implemented a security policy that identifies and terminates accounts that use unofficial versions of the application.
In recent days, many Cubans have reported on social networks the disabling of their account for using unofficial versions of WhatsApp such as “WhatsApp Plus”, “GBWhatsApp”, “WhatsApp Aero”, among others.
“Unofficial applications are modified versions of WhatsApp, which means that they were developed by third parties and do not comply with our terms of service,” says the company in a su official platform.
WhatsApp makes it clear that it does not endorse “the use of these third-party applications because it is not possible to validate their security practices.” In this sense, it warns users that “accounts may be temporarily or permanently suspended for this reason.”
Cuba is a country with little and limited internet access, so many Cubans turn to unofficial versions of WhatsApp that are copied locally as APK (Android Application File Format) files. Through them, they communicate with their loved ones abroad and stay informed.
However, this practice has led to the cancellation of accounts by WhatsApp, which has generated confusion and frustration. Many of the affected users claim to have lost access to their WhatsApp accounts, including their chats, contacts, and shared files.
“My WhatsApp account was blocked. I can’t open it for about four weeks. Can someone help me?” User Milton Morales posted in the group Facebook friends.
The use of unofficial versions is intensified in Cuba due to the difficulty of obtaining a modern smartphone.
Discontinuation of WhatsApp on old devices.
In addition to terminating the accounts of Cuban users who use pirated versions of the app, WhatsApp has also discontinued the app on older devices, affecting those who don’t have access to newer ones.
The official WhatsApp user service page indicates that the application currently works on phones from Android 4.1 version. In the case of iOS, it can only be installed on devices running version 12 or later. This situation forces users to change their device for a more current one or, failing that, to risk using a pirated WhatsApp.
Another solution that does not require investment is to update the operating system whenever the device allows it. Within this last category are phones like the iPhone 6S Plus, which are still used in Cuba, the only solution for which is to update the operating system. However, it won’t be long before newer versions of iOS become obsolete to use WhatsApp.
