ALBAWABA – The Iranian authorities announced lifting the ban on Meta Inc's WhatsApp and Alphabet Inc's Google Play on Tuesday, as part of the government’s efforts to ease the internet restrictions in the country.
WhatsApp and Google Play in Iran
According to official Iranian authorities, Iran left the ban on WhatsApp, the instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by technology conglomerate Meta, and Google Play, the digital distribution service operated and developed by Google.
The country is aiming to ease internet usage and lift restrictions after having banned the two applications for some time.
Iran imposes significant restrictions on internet usage in the country. However, some users bypass these blocks by using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X. (Shutterstock)
"A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play," according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Sattar Hashemi, Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, said: “Today the first step in removing internet limitations… has been taken.”
Iran’s restrictions on applications
It is worth noting that Iran imposes significant restrictions on internet usage in the country. However, some users bypass these blocks by using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X.
Notably, the United States urged major technology companies last September to assist in avoiding internet censorship in countries with severe restrictions, including Iran.
