If you rely on messaging apps to remain in contact with your family members and friends, then you may have to switch back to old-fashioned text messaging service in matter of weeks due to a new law currently going through Parliament.
WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to Ban in UK
The popular messaging applications, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, iMessage and Facebook Messenger, could all potentially be banned in the UK under the controversial 'Snoopers Charter'.
The
Investigatory Powers Bill -- the so-called
Snoopers Charter -- mentioned in the
2015 Queen's Speech, would allow UK government to eradicate instant messaging apps that refuse to switch off end-to-end encryption from their services.
Cameron was quoted as saying, "In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between people which […] we cannot read?"
"My answer to that question is: 'No, we must not'."
Government wants Record of All Your Activities
If the Snooper's Charter goes ahead, it requires Internet service providers, mobile phone companies and technology firms such as Apple, Facebook, Google and WhatsApp keep a record of all of your activities, including all your Google searches, your Facebook chats, WhatsApp messages and SnapChat videos.
Home Secretary Theresa May has warned that the Snoopers Charter or Investigatory Powers Bill could be passed this Autumn. The future is looking troublingly uncertain in the UK for messaging apps like WhatsApp.