Iranian authorities have announced the lifting of the ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, marking an initial step towards easing Internet restrictions, as reported by state media on Tuesday. The country is known for having some of the strictest internet controls globally, often blocking US-based social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, which many Iranians manage to access through virtual private networks (VPNs).
According to the IRNA news agency, a significant majority vote led to this decision during a meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian. Information and Communications Technology Minister Sattar Hashemi mentioned that this represents the first move in the process of reducing internet limitations in Iran. Social media platforms played a significant role during recent anti-government protests in the country.
In September, the United States urged major technology companies to assist in bypassing online censorship in nations with strict internet controls, including Iran.
