DUBAI: Iranian officials have announced the removal of restrictions on WhatsApp and Google Play, marking a significant step towards easing internet limitations in the country, according to state media reports on Tuesday.
Iran is known for having some of the strictest internet controls globally, often blocking access to popular U.S.-based social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. However, many Iranians have managed to bypass these restrictions with the help of virtual private networks (VPNs).
The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that during a recent meeting led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, a majority vote was reached to allow access to certain widely-used foreign platforms, including WhatsApp and Google Play.
“This marks the initial step in removing limitations on internet access,” stated Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Sattar Hashemi, as quoted by IRNA.
Social media channels played a significant role in facilitating anti-government protests in Iran in previous years.
In September, the U.S. government urged major tech companies to support efforts to bypass censorship in nations with heavy internet restrictions, such as Iran.
