Whatsapp In Bahrain: Is It Accessible?

WhatsApp is available in Bahrain, where it is one of the most popular communication apps. In fact, Bahrain was the first country in the world to use the platform officially to deliver COVID-19 test results and updates to its citizens. However, the Bahraini government has imposed strict security restrictions on the content of WhatsApp messages, with group administrators being held responsible and legally culpable for any defamatory news, rumours, or inaccurate information circulated in their groups.

Bahrain's government uses WhatsApp to deliver COVID-19 test results and updates

WhatsApp is available in Bahrain and was used by the Bahraini government to deliver COVID-19 test results and updates to its citizens. On May 27, 2020, Bahrain's Ministry of Health announced that it would be utilising instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to share COVID-19 reports with patients. This move made Bahrain the first country in the world to adopt such a measure.

The Bahraini government confirmed that all COVID-19 test results would be delivered by a chatbot, with the reports available in both Arabic and English. Dr. Waleed Al Manea from the Health Ministry emphasised their commitment to reaching a broader community in their efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

The free chat service also provided up-to-date information on the pandemic's spread, along with direct links to relevant YouTube guidance videos and Bahrain's official COVID-19 Be Aware app. Bahrain's early interventions, including screenings at entry points, travel restrictions, and swift isolation and testing of suspected cases, contributed to their success in containing the pandemic within their borders.

As global lockdowns began to lift, Bahrain, one of the first countries to loosen movement restrictions, took proactive steps to prepare for the next phase of the crisis. They introduced a dedicated tracking app, "BeAware," which notified users if they came into contact with an active case. Additionally, they converted public buses into mobile testing units and rapidly constructed field hospitals for treating COVID-19 cases.

The use of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger as official communication channels for COVID-19-related information and test results demonstrated Bahrain's innovative approach to managing the pandemic and engaging with its citizens.

WhatsApp Business is the second most popular communication app in Bahrain

WhatsApp is available in Bahrain and is a popular communication app in the country. In fact, as of 31 July 2024, WhatsApp Business was the second most popular communication app in Bahrain, with its ranking increasing by two positions since the previous month.

WhatsApp has been used in Bahrain for various official purposes. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahrain's Ministry of Health announced that it would deliver COVID-19 test results and updates to citizens via WhatsApp. This made Bahrain the first country in the world to use WhatsApp on an official level for sharing COVID-19 reports with patients. Bahrain has also contained the spread of the pandemic within its borders at a minimal level and has the fifth-highest testing rates in the world.

WhatsApp Business is a useful app for businesses in Bahrain to communicate with their target audience and customers. For small stores, the WhatsApp Business app is sufficient, while medium or large businesses may require the WhatsApp API to manage a significant database. The WhatsApp API is a paid service, and the price is determined by the number of messages sent. There are two categories of messages: user-initiated and business-initiated messages, with the former being less expensive.

The Kuwait Finance House in Bahrain has launched its official WhatsApp Business service to facilitate user-friendly communication with clients and seamlessly receive their queries and applications. This service is part of the bank's initiatives to boost digital interaction and improve client experience by providing a simple, secure, and reliable communication medium.

The Bahraini government has imposed security restrictions on WhatsApp groups

WhatsApp is not banned in Bahrain, and the app is available for use within the country. However, the Bahraini government has imposed security restrictions on WhatsApp groups, targeting people's discussions and messages on short-messaging social media platforms.

On March 6, 2016, the Education Ministry sent a message to all secondary school heads, instructing them to examine the contents of messages sent by teachers and students in WhatsApp groups. The Ministry threatened legal action against anyone sending messages that "insult authorities". This directive aligns with the government's policy of suppressing individuals' right to freedom of expression and violating their right to privacy.

In a landmark speech, Hayat Abdel Majid, the head of the sector targeting electronic crime at the Ministry of Interior's Department for anti-corruption and economic and electronic security, stated that the administrator of any WhatsApp group would be held responsible and legally accountable for any defamatory news, rumours, or inaccurate information circulated in that group. Group members could also be held responsible for the group's content, facing potential punishment of up to two years in prison and a fine of 200 Bahraini dinars, as per Article 168 of the law governing the spreading of defamatory information.

The Bahraini government's actions have been criticised by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), which considers the surveillance of private WhatsApp groups and messages a violation of individuals' right to privacy, as stipulated by Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. BCHR also asserts that these restrictions are an arbitrary use of power to prevent people from exercising their right to freedom of expression in a peaceful environment.

While Bahrain has not banned WhatsApp entirely, the government's restrictions on the app's usage within the country have raised concerns among human rights organisations and individuals alike.

WhatsApp is available to download in Bahrain

However, it is important to note that the Bahraini government has imposed strict security restrictions on WhatsApp usage. These restrictions target discussions and messages sent on short-messaging social media platforms, including WhatsApp. The government has threatened legal action against anyone sending messages that "insult authorities" and has held group administrators responsible and legally culpable for any defamatory content circulated in their groups.

Despite these restrictions, WhatsApp remains a widely used messaging app in Bahrain, and there are no indications that the app has been banned or blocked in the country. Users in Bahrain can continue to download and use WhatsApp, but they should be aware of the government's strict regulations regarding its usage.

In summary, while WhatsApp is available for download in Bahrain, users should exercise caution and be mindful of the government's restrictions on online expression and privacy.

WhatsApp is used by residents in Bahrain to connect with family and friends abroad

WhatsApp is freely available in Bahrain and is used by residents to connect with family and friends abroad. In fact, as of July 2024, WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Messenger were ranked as the second and third most popular communication apps in the country, respectively.

Bahrain was the first country in the world to use WhatsApp on an official level. In 2020, the Bahraini government announced that it would deliver COVID-19 test results and updates to citizens via instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. The chatbot service, available in Arabic and English, also shared up-to-date information on the spread of the pandemic and provided direct links to guidance videos and Bahrain's official COVID-19 app.

However, the Bahraini government has imposed strict security restrictions on the use of WhatsApp, particularly in relation to freedom of expression and privacy. In 2016, the Education Ministry demanded that the contents of messages sent by teachers and students in WhatsApp groups be examined, threatening legal action against anyone found to have sent messages deemed insulting to the authorities. The administrator and members of a WhatsApp group can be held responsible and legally culpable for any defamatory news, rumours, or inaccurate information circulated in the group, with punishments including imprisonment and fines.

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