Save WhatsApp in South Africa

MTN and Vodacom have called for the government to regulate WhatsApp (as well as Skype and similar services). They are claiming that their profits are being undermined by 'unfair competition' from the popular messaging system. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Postal Services has agreed to hold hearings on the subject.

An online petition, aimed at preventing the South African government from interfering in the popular messaging system WhatsApp, has been launched under the hashtag #SaveWhatsApp.

They call it 'unfair competition'. We call it progress and an opportunity to escape from over-priced mobile phone call and SMS charges.

WhatsApp is particularly popular amongst young South Africans and the less affluent because it enables users to send free SMSs and make free phone calls to friends and family across the country and the world. Business people also use it.

The WhatsApp service is virtually free. It offers free calls and free SMSs. However users still need to use data bought from the cellphone giants.

Sign the petition

The petition, launched by the online woman's magazine All4Women.co.za, can be found at http://tinyurl.com/z33tyd2.

The petition will be sent to the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Postal Services, the Minister of Communications and to the President of South Africa.