Iran Eases Internet Restrictions, Lifts Ban on WhatsApp and Google Play

By Evans Momodu
2 minute read

Iranian authorities have lifted bans on Meta's WhatsApp and Google Play, marking a significant step toward reducing internet restrictions, according to Iranian state media reports on Tuesday.

The Islamic Republic, known for its stringent internet controls, has routinely blocked US-based platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. However, tech-savvy Iranians have often bypassed these restrictions using virtual private networks (VPNs).

A report from Iran's official IRNA news agency announced the decision, noting that a "positive majority vote" had been reached during a meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“This marks the first step in removing internet limitations,” Sattar Hashemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology noted in his remarks.

Role of Social Media in Protests
Social media platforms have been widely used by Iranian citizens to organise and share information during anti-government protests. This has made such platforms a contentious issue for authorities seeking to maintain control over public discourse.

US Advocacy for Online Freedom
In September, the United States urged major technology companies to help circumvent online censorship in heavily restricted countries like Iran.

The lifting of these bans represents a potentially significant development in Iran’s approach to internet governance, though the broader implications are still at large.
Source: CNN 
Image: Oneindia