The government has blocked popular online voice and message services Viber and Tango till midnight today on security purpose.

Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) sent a directive to all telecom operators last night to this regard.

According to a notice circulated by the country’s largest mobile phone operator Grameenphone, “Grameenphone and the other mobile operations in Bangladesh received a written as well as verbal request from Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to temporarily restrict access to the messing service Viber and Tango, citing security reasons.”

Zahir Ahmed, managing director of BanglaTel, an international terrestrial cable company, told The Daily Star that they have already disabled both the services from the last midnight.

He added that they have also received similar directive from the BTRC to block Viber and Tango.

The move follows days of violence during the nonstop countrywide blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.