WhatsApp service crashes in Pakistan

WhatsApp crashed in Pakistan on Wednesday, with many users expressing anger and outrage at the disruption of the messaging service.

WhatsApp crashed in Pakistan on Wednesday, with many users expressing anger and outrage at the disruption of the messaging service.

People are seen as silhouettes as they check mobile devices whilst standing against an illuminated wall bearing WhatsApp Inc's logo in this arranged photograph in London in January. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Thousands of users across the country were unable to connect to WhatsApp on both Android and iOS devices. People were unable to respond to existing chats, start new ones or use the app’s web service.

Users said when an existing chat was opened, the name of the person or group was replaced with a spinning wheel and the word “connecting”. When users attempted to change the privacy settings, the service generated an error message that said: “WhatsApp was not able to retrieve current privacy settings. Please try again later.”

WhatsApp has become increasingly popular in Pakistan because of its new security features. The encryption facility for messages offered by the service has resulted in an increase in users.