After word got around in Lebanon that the government was planning to tax WhatsApp calls, thousands of people demonstrated in the streets of Beirut.
The plan was to impose a 20-cent fee for a person’s first call of the day.
On Friday, the Lebanese government reversed course and said no new taxes would be levied.
Fortune reports, the Lebanese government is deeply in debt, and passed austerity measures in July to help remedy the situation. That began affecting the lives of Lebanon’s citizens by, for example, threatening the pensions of retired soldiers. Additionally, some reportedly believe corruption is preventing the country from getting the aid it needs.
The proposed WhatsApp tax, as well as proposals to increase VAT and gasoline taxes, inflamed anti-government sentiments. That led to the demonstrations, in which protesters called for regime change and revolution.
Via Mashable / Fortune
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