Update 2: It Appears Viber has been restored to normal functioning on 3G Networks in Lebanon
Update: Read the Viber Team’s Official Statement to the concerns raised below
So, apparently, Viber has been blocked if you’re on mobile Internet (3G/EDGE) in Lebanon and that has been confirmed with local carrier Alfa, who just said “the ministry has blocked it”. Now, naturally, knowing the telecom sector in Lebanon, it’s to stop you from using services without paying them a LOT of money for a sub-standard service most of the time.
Possible Reason?
However, an article on LebanonDebate delves deeper into this, and has revealed that the founder is an Israeli-American who served in the IDF. It also hints at the fact that the app has access to your phonebook and transactions done on it (photos, etc.) which is usually standard for apps like that (Whatsapp for example needs those permissions, and so does “TrueCaller”). Viber raised further concerns for the guys at LD because it is completely free (no app fee or ad support) and questioned why would they offer such a great and free service without anything in return if not for malicious reasons?
Well, when it comes to apps and social networks, it’s very tough to make money at first. Sensations like Instagram and Skype are never profitable, until they become successful enough to be acquired by bigger fish (Microsoft bought out Skype, Facebook bought out Instagram). So, not making money is common for web and mobile start-ups and doesn’t raise much of a red flag for me.
As for the founder being an Israeli-American, and serving in the IDF, remember all Israeli citizens serve in the IDF (it’s mandatory) and many companies are bound to have Israeli employees (just like they have Lebanese ones all over the world). So, honestly, I’m not really sold on the Israeli spy conspiracy thing, and if you’re worried about Israel getting your photos and calls, stop using it. If you’re worried about your privacy, don’t download apps like Viber and TrueCaller, which by the way is much worse in terms of permissions and privacy breaches (which I know most of you have).
How to bypass this ban?
It’s pretty simple, all you need to do is download a free app (on Android and iOS) which I have linked to at the bottom. This allows you to set up a virtual private network (VPN) which allows your device to use an IP address from different countries and locations, which to a certain degree, allows you to mask your identity and location (unless someone is really intent on finding out) and thus allows you to appear as if you were in Europe or the US for example and thus bypassing the block by the Ministry. I have worked with a friend back home and he has confirmed it works, as well as another friend, Jerome, in the UAE (both Androids).
Viber’s Pluses and WiFi Connectivity
It seems to be working fine on WiFi connections, it’s just the mobile internet connections that are blocking the use of Viber. If you’re like me, and use the app to stay connected with loved ones around the world for free, this app is extremely useful and saves you a lot of money. A scare based on speculations it’s an Israeli spy tool or to force you to pay more instead of save on telecom, is not fair to you. So, knowing the risks of possible privacy breach, it’s up to you to decide if you want to use it or, and definitely not the government’s decision and I am extremely disappointed and outraged with the Telecom ministry and Minister Sehnaoui for letting this pass without telling us about it, especially after making all the fuss about the ISF IB requesting our information.
Download and Usage
Just click on the links below from your devices, or search for any free VPN app on Google Play or the App Store. I recommend HotSpot Shield. Also, remember, this app might be app supported and might use internet connection itself, so to save MBs, only activate it before opening Viber. If you want extra security though, for all your online browsing, keep it on most of the time. Also, the Android one is completely free, but the iOS one is free for 7 sessions only (as usual, Apple = wallet drainage or jailbreaking =P)
Android App
iOS App
Is it just me or does the Lebanese government seriously have a complex of superiority?? Now they’re trying to convince us that some Israeli spy created a free calling app which had been popular all over the world wayyy before smartphones/3G even became widespread in Lebanon just to spy on our private conversations and get our details? Hmm…. sounds a bit far-fetched to me.
In any case, conspiracy or not, thanks for bringing this up Gino, been enjoying the thought-provoking posts.
Thank you Melissa, always glad to help!
Impossible to by pass this ban against viber in lebanon.
When u are asked to download through IOS application u get the answer impossible to connect with us apple store. Internet in lebanon…. C de la merde et de la frustration continue.
Oh that’s what was blocking viber! Anyways, you saved me a lot of money.
Thanks!
Anytime!
we could do without intel too btw… biggest single employer in the technology sector in israel they are… we can also do without facebook, after all, it was founded by a jew (i don’t know his stance on israel, but it matters not, he’s a jew!)… we can, while we’re at it, make sure to boycott all these people (only to start with): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jewish_American_businesspeople
of note: microsoft’s CEO, co-founder of google and the founder/chairman of dell.
quite frankly: fuck this lebanese society of “only what suits me” hypocrits, go back to the stone age where you belong. i’ll be leaving soon to do valuable things elsewhere.
Honestly, i am more afraid of the government itself!! All the harm ive seen them do i chose to trust viber over them
me too!! and so is the case for the most of us.. we don’t fear israel spying over us as much as the isf and the lebanese army spies and the rest of the lebanese spy services, israel is interested in its national security.. the isf however is veryyyyy much interested in the all of us(while never caring to spy on syria or israel or anyone else but us)
Viber Media is an Israeli company.
It is not until recently that they started covering their trail by using their office (?) in Cyprus.
Hi everyone,
This is an official representative of Viber Media. We’re here to answer your questions and address your concerns
– Regarding the points raised in the article and the doubts expressed by the users:
Viber is based in Cyprus with development facilities in Israel and Belarus. Servers are all over the world, but the ones storing the data (the “database”) are in the US
Viber is a 100% commercially-run company, and has nothing to do with any government or governmental institute, including the Israeli one.
– In relation to Viber’s privacy policy:
First, it is important to be accurate – we only collect names and phone numbers, nothing else. Naturally, we collect users’ information for functional reasons, in order for us to enable the service that we, as a company, promise to provide. Without that information, Viber cannot function. This is not different from any other major social network/communication service provider in our world nowadays, as explained by other users in the above comments.
I would like to clarify: we *do not* and will never sell users’ information to third-parties, and we keep this information well locked in our servers, with extremely limited access to it. This information (in great detail) is explained in our very clear and transparent Privacy Policy – to which we are committed by law – that can be found in our official homepage. Have you taken a close look at it?
If after reading it carefully there are still doubts or questions, then we will be more than happy to assist and clarify and answer any of them.
If you still have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to write them, and we will address them shortly
Best regards,
Viber.
Lastly, regarding why Viber is free:
Currently, Viber’s focus is on adding platforms, features and integrating with more platforms, as well as improving overall system performance. At the same time, we are working on additional premium services that will generate revenue once they become available. The basic Viber service – Viber-to-Viber phone calls and text messages – will always be free.
We believe this model is not different from most other services you use on a daily basis. Is it not?
Thanks,
viber team: your permissions are unusual… why sooooooo??
@carol -
Our permission is not different from any similar application in the world today. Moreover, some permissions are there for future features that are coming soon
Pinger is good alternative for VoIP too http://www.pinger.com/content/home.html
It seems the Lebanese government will do anything to stop its citizens getting something for free without them being able to take a huge profit from it. I have never heard such crap in my life from a 3rd world bunch of egotistical morons to think the app was invented purely to spy on them. It has to be noted that the application was happily in use all over the world prior to Lebanon dragging its mobile phone system out of the dark ages. What next, no msn, gtalk, skype etc etc etc.
Grow up and get over it !!!!
Guys you can use LINE a similar app. There are a several articles on VIBER being a spyware irrespective of Lebanon. Google ‘is VIBER a spyware’
@f -
Viber has one of the strictest Privacy Policy in the communication application market today. We have responded to our users’ concerns almost in all of the articles you mentioned, and we will continue to do so, in order to address our users’ concerns.
good thing there are always alternatives when it comes to voip(or any other app for that matter)..
is viber the only voip app blocked from our 3g networks(a good question!), if so.. then the government may have some real concerns(security wise), otherwise it’s nothing but an excuse to prevent people from using voip(free “uncharged” spying-free calls), but again… there are soooooo many apps out there and i wonder how will they possibly block them all(in case they intend to do so in the future), and i hope viber is not just the begining.
nowwwwwwww [viber-wise]… in case this thing will spread “israeli connection” or spyware possibility(& “possibility” is more than enough) to start the rapid or(slow and gradual but steady) downfall of this app to other successor apps on the rise, that’s eminent
i use viber normally(regardless if it’s a spyware or not), actually i prefer using viber over the “24/7 spied upon” landline and cellular phone calls(& sms) made over our networks from the real spies(isf/ army spies/ general security, & all the others who are openly and “innocently” asking for alllllllll our data and recording alllllll our calls and messages…)
My Viber is working fine over Alfa 3G and my mom’s too, we didn’t even need to dosnload a VPN shield… Besides if it really was beacause of Israeli spying they would have blocked it over WiFi too! It’s clear that it’s a financial issue only because the governement is pissed at how people are calling each other without paying a dime… It’s Lebanon what can we say?
Guys just enjoy the amazingly free VOIP software VIBER regardless of what blogs or governments might say about it!
You should be glad to know that VIBER has been unblocked again (since Monday i guess) and it has been working fine ever since without the need of a VPN software.
Viber has been unblocked?
It can be used normally once again on 3G networks (Alfa and MTC) ?
yes indeed !
@Joe -
This is great news!
Thank you for the information, and enjoy Viber
No need of viber (spyware) we can use Skype, it have more clear voice quality
i uninstalled viber specially after their latest update and their recent privacy where they will be able to spy and change things in your phone , byeee
Hi Fares,
Please read our official response to the privacy claims. We also encourage you to thoroughly read our Privacy Policy (found in our homepage).
I cancelled my viber by mistake before one month and from that day i m downloading it again but they told me wait for sms code but i didn’t get the code i want to know what to do too download viber again thanks
Hi,
Please try removing Viber, wait 24 hours, reinstall and try again (make sure you try both the SMS and the automated call options).
In addition, you may try to register to Viber with a different number (for example – your home landline number, a friend’s number, etc.), in order to determine whether the problem is specific with your number, or a general one.
They have blocked it for security reasion.Viber is owned by an ex Israeli Mossad agent.
Viber is not owned by an “Mossad agent”. The conspiracy theories raised in some parts of the world against anything that has ANYTHING to do with Israel is amusing
Viber is a totally commercially run company. It has no connection, whatsoever, with any governmental agency.
How then is Viber Funded? its a free app.
@celine -
Currently, Viber’s focus is on adding new features and integrating with more platforms, as well as improving overall system performance. At the same time, we are working on additional premium services that will generate revenue once they become available. The basic Viber service – Viber-to-Viber phone calls and text messages – will always remain free.
How to view my GF’s viber? I want to know how she talking with.
Viber protects its users’ privacy, and so there is no way to check other Viber users’ call history
Is it blocked again?
i guess viber is now blocked in Lebanon, but we still need an official annoucement. 2 days ago i was using it normally but now i have tried connecting through 4 different DSL lines, through 3G but with no luck.
i don’t really think it a spying application, if it was a spying application why viber and not tthe others too? i mean they can all be spying apps.
Hi marmat,
I am a Viber representative.
We have received other reports from our users in Lebanon that Viber stopped working several days ago. It seems like our app is blocked again in the country
If you have any news or updates, kindly let us know
Best regards,
the Viber Team.
My service provider is Alfa and my DSL provider Ogero…on both for the past 4 days Viber seems to be blocked. I checked with Alfa and they told me that the application is not being blocked by them as it happened in December… I know other people who have Alfa 3G and MTC and they certainly are not facing the same problems. It is kind of weird!!!
It seems the application is working again in Lebanon, i have just tried it today on DSL line. Weird!
Not sure what is happening. Block, unblocked?
anyways, i am glad it is back.
Hi everyone,
Does anyone know if there is an official announcement regarding these fluctuating blocks/unblocks in Lebanon?
We (Viber) are trying to understand if this is an official move by the government/cellular companies, or just technical issues.
Thank you!
the Viber Team.
Viber is back working in Lebanon and i have never faced an issue since april 13. Personally, i am not aware of any official announcement regarding these blocks/unblocks. I don’t know might have been technical issues or maybe it had something to do with the Anonymous operation. If i am not mistaken an operation was launched on april 7 targeting many websites and servers. I am not sure i am just assuming.
@marmat -
Thanks for the info.
We’re glad to hear it’s working again, and we’d be happy to receive more reports from you if this changes in the future (hopefully not!)
Thanks, and keep enjoying Viber.
its a little weird, Honestly, I wasn’t believe that Viber is made by Israelis is the first place, than I knew when The EGAF (Egyptian Armed Forces) Announced and heavily warned to their employees to avoid using Viber, them and their second-degree relatives.
Maybe They have their own things to worry about, for me, I rather to say when my Country’s armed forces said, I trust these guys anyways. I will stay away from Viber, Me and everyone I know
And until they say which law they apply to the information security, and until they Announce their ID on their website:
I ADVICE YOU (WHO READING MY MESSAGE RIGHT NOW) TO STAY AWAY FROM VIBER, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH YOUR INFORMATION.
I’ve did some researches, no trademark in US, no Offices for the company in any place outside Israel, Only seems that only the Israeli laws, will apply to them, which is really not good law when it comes to privacy polices.
FYI, Late last month, Israel Said that you need to announce your bank accounts information when you visit Israel, (Even for tourism purposes), Otherwise, you’re banned from visiting Israel.
Hi there,
I’m an official representative of Viber.
The information you presented here is not accurate, to say the least.
Viber is based in Cyprus with development facilities in Israel and Belarus. Servers are all over the world, but the ones storing the data (the “database”) are in the US
Israel is the source of many high-tech startups and (very) respected companies, some of whose technology you are using on a daily basis. It is not our wish to advocate for Israel in anyway, just to place it in its right place in the technological world
Now, you referred to the block in Arab countries – you’ll be surprised, but the reason Viber is blocked on many Arab countries is mainly not because of where Viber is located, but rather because Viber hurts the revenues of local mobile operators. Whereas in Europe and other Western countries simply banning VoIP is illegal, there is no problem imposing such harsh regulations in those countries where democracy is fragile (to say the least), and hence Viber (and Skype, and Whatsapp) are often blocked. Try to use Skype in many of those countries, and you’ll see that it’s banned as well. Does that mean that Skype is also a malicious, Israeli, data-stealing company?
Regarding info about Viber – we don’t think we ever hid anything. It’s not like we’re intentionally hiding information about ourselves. On the contrary, in the past year we’ve been giving more and more interviews, explaining who we are, where we are located, etc.
This is our CEO, Mr. Talmon Marco: http://www.mobileworldlive.com/interview-talmon-marco-ceo-viber (Nice to meet you
)
I invite you to run a quick Google search, and you’ll find numerous interviews with him, talking and sharing information about our company, our employees, and our plans.
If you still have questions or doubts, please don’t hesitate to let me know, and I’d be happy to assist
Wonderful website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get opinions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
Right here is the perfect site for everyone who wants to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that’s been written about for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!