WhatsApp blocked in Brazil for 48 hours by court

17 Dekabr 2015 14:54 (UTC+04:00)

Brazil has blocked Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app, preventing users in the country from connecting to service or sending messages.

A Brazilian court ordered mobile phone providers to block all access to the internet-based messaging service on Wednesday for a total of 48 hours, starting at midnight on Thursday, according to Brazilian phone company association Sinditelebrasil .

The injunction was sought by a plaintiff before a criminal court in São Paulo state whose identity was kept secret.

The first criminal court of São Bernardo do Campo said in a statement: "WhatsApp did not respond to a court order, dated 23 July, 2015. On 7 August , 2015, the company was notified again of being subject to fixed penalty in case of non-compliance."

Failure of WhatsApp to respond to the court orders led "the prosecution to request the blocking of services for a period of 48 hours, based on the law of the Civil the internet Marco, which was granted by Judge Sandra Regina Nostre Marques".