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Iranian authorities have announced the lifting of a two-year ban on the use of WhatsApp messenger and the Google Play app store, an important step towards easing internet restrictions in the country. The decision was made by the Supreme Council for Information Security by a majority vote, Reuters reports.
The restrictions were introduced in September 2022 following protests that erupted over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained by the morality police for violating the rules of wearing a hijab. These events sparked a wave of outrage, and the ban on popular platforms was part of measures to control the information space.
Iran’s new president, Massoud Peseshkian, who took office in 2024, promised to ease censorship on the Internet during the election campaign. Unblocking WhatsApp and Google Play was the first step towards fulfilling this promise.
Internet censorship in Iran
Despite this easing, a significant number of global platforms remain inaccessible to users in the country. They remain blocked:
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Telegram
Some of these platforms, including Facebook, X and YouTube, have been banned since 2009.
Similar events in other countries
Other states are also taking steps to restrict access to popular platforms. For example, the Albanian government has announced a one-year ban on TikTok over allegations of inciting youth violence.
The decision of the Iranian authorities may signal a new era in the state’s relations with technology platforms and Internet users. However, the continued blocking of many other popular services indicates a cautious approach to change, which is likely to be accompanied by further discussions within the country.
