Whatsapp faces ban in Brazil over child porn

Popular instant messaging servivce Whatsapp is facing a ban in Brazil, after the Facebook-owned firm allegedly did not cooperate with an investigation over sharing of indecent images of children on the mobile app.

Judge Luiz de Moura Correira earlier ruled the applications should be suspended due to the spreading of "sexually graphic photos of children". The crimes have been taking place on the messaging platform since 2013, according to local media.

Lawyers for the company reportedly claimed that the service does not have offices in Brazil, and therefore it is not required to comply with Brazilian law. The app is operating as normal in the country, as the firm is appealing the ruling.

As Whatsapp does not have an office in Brazil, judge's order was delivered to cellphone operators, who are unhappy with the move.

SindiTelebrasil, the organisation that represents telecom operators in the country, has been angered by the decision, saying the suspension would result in "huge losses to millions of everyday Brazilians, including at work."

The application was purchased by Facebook for $19bn (£12.3bn, €16.8bn) in 2014. More than half of the smartphone owners in Brazil are using the app, according to market research.