Recent service disruptions to WhatsApp in China have led to speculation that government officials may be trying to crack down on encrypted communications.

Maya Wang, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, confirmed to Legaltech News this week that some users reported they could no longer send photos or videos. Some users could not send text-based messages.

“Prior to these disruptions, WhatsApp had been one of the few foreign messaging apps that can be accessed inside China without using tools to circumvent the Great Firewall,” she said.