Re:WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton to leave company
by NoB4Mouth on Wednesday September 13, 2017 @11:11AM
(#15238984)
I'm from an African country where Whatsapp has played a major role in the political uprising against autocratic governments. Its power to mobilize the masses to go on the streets and protest is incredible. Radios and TV stations couldn't do that due to the pressure and their fear of being shut down by authorities. But Authorities have found a way to mute Whatsapp: shutting down the Internet. Just search : "Internet or Whtasapp shut down in Cameroun, Gabon, DR Congo or Togo" to find out.
We are currently looking for alternatives to Whatsapp messenger that can work even when the Net is down. Suggestions are welcome.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton to leave company
by 1024core on Wednesday September 13, 2017 @12:52PM
(#15240112)
Same is happening in India. The government will shut down an entire area's mobile Internet just to prevent people from mobilizing.
Re:WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton to leave company
by rakoo on Thursday September 14, 2017 @12:09PM
(#15249389)
I have no idea how well this works, but the Serval Project aims to let people communicate when the network is down:
Re:WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton to leave company
by baq on Wednesday September 13, 2017 @11:30AM
(#15239208)
mesh net, but they'll just bring the power down. maybe solar-powered with battery backup? but that gets expensive.
Re:WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton to leave company
by zuluwill on Wednesday September 13, 2017 @11:52AM
(#15239477)
but hopefully coming down considerably. Watch this youtube vide of Tony Seba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b3ttqYDwF0 (Stanford University futurist Tony Seba spent the last decades studying technological disruptions. He argues that the Electric Vehicle, battery storage, and solar power, along with autonomous vehicles, are a perfect example of a 10x exponential process which will wipe )