Maduro Accuses WhatsApp of Handing Over Venezuela’s ‘Database’ to Opposition Leaders

In a startling revelation, the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, has accused the messaging app WhatsApp, owned by the American company Meta, of handing over the entire personal database of Venezuelan citizens to opposition leaders Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado. Maduro has labeled these individuals as terrorists and war criminals.

According to Maduro, WhatsApp has provided the opposition leaders with all the database of Venezuela, including information about who you are, your family, your friends, what you talk about, what you don’t talk about, what videos you share, and your preferences. This is a serious allegation that has sent shockwaves through the country.

Maduro’s Campaign Against Social Media

This accusation comes as part of Maduro’s ongoing campaign against social media platforms and messaging apps, which he claims are being used to threaten military and police personnel, as well as community leaders. Maduro has repeatedly called on the population to eliminate WhatsApp from their lives, describing it as being in the hands of technological imperialism, enemies of Venezuela and humanity.

Just last week, Maduro ordered the suspension of the social network X for 10 days, further tightening his grip on digital communication in the country. This latest attack on WhatsApp is seen as an escalation of his efforts to control the flow of information and silence dissent.

The Aftermath of the July 28th Elections

Maduro’s accusations come in the wake of the July 28th presidential elections, which the country’s electoral authority claimed he won. However, the opposition majority has rejected the results, alleging fraud and sparking widespread protests across Venezuela.

According to government sources, more than 2,400 people have been detained since July 29th, some during the protests and others in police operations. Additionally, 25 people have died in acts of violence, which the government attributes to the opposition, while the anti-Chavista movement blames the security forces, acting on the orders of their superiors.

Conclusion

Maduro’s accusations against WhatsApp and the opposition leaders are a clear attempt to tighten his grip on power and silence dissent in the country. The allegations of personal data being handed over to the opposition are a serious breach of privacy and a concerning development in the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela. As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disputed elections, the battle for control of information and communication channels is likely to intensify.