Bangladesh shuts down messaging services Viber and Tango to quell anti-government protests
Bangladeshi activists run across a road close to the home of opposition leader Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on Jan 5, 2015. Bangladeshi telecoms authorities on Sunday, Jan 18, shut down smartphone messaging services Viber and Tango, which had become a popular communication medium for anti-government protesters. -- PHOTO: AFP
DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladeshi telecoms authorities Sunday shut down smartphone messaging and voice services Viber and Tango, which have become a popular communication medium for supporters of the anti-government protests now in their third week.
The Bangladesh Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission closed down the apps “for the time being” on orders from law enforcement and security agencies, a commission spokesman told AFP.
He did not give reasons for the decision, but local television station Channel 24 said Viber and Tango were shut down to prevent protesters from “exchanging information” across the country.
Viber and Tango have been popular among opposition protesters, including activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies who have launched a crippling nationwide transport blockade to try to topple the government.
- See more at: Bangladesh shuts down messaging services Viber and Tango to quell anti-government protests - South Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
Bangladeshi activists run across a road close to the home of opposition leader Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on Jan 5, 2015. Bangladeshi telecoms authorities on Sunday, Jan 18, shut down smartphone messaging services Viber and Tango, which had become a popular communication medium for anti-government protesters. -- PHOTO: AFP
DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladeshi telecoms authorities Sunday shut down smartphone messaging and voice services Viber and Tango, which have become a popular communication medium for supporters of the anti-government protests now in their third week.
The Bangladesh Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission closed down the apps “for the time being” on orders from law enforcement and security agencies, a commission spokesman told AFP.
He did not give reasons for the decision, but local television station Channel 24 said Viber and Tango were shut down to prevent protesters from “exchanging information” across the country.
Viber and Tango have been popular among opposition protesters, including activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies who have launched a crippling nationwide transport blockade to try to topple the government.
- See more at: Bangladesh shuts down messaging services Viber and Tango to quell anti-government protests - South Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times