Photo by Anton
Iran has lifted its ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, marking a significant shift in the country’s internet restrictions. According to state media reports on December 24, 2024, Iranian officials voted to remove these limitations as part of an initial effort to ease stringent controls over internet access.
The official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) announced that a favorable majority vote was achieved during a meeting led by President Masoud Pezeshkian. The decision reflects the government’s acknowledgment of the need to relax its long-standing internet policies.
This move is seen as particularly significant given Iran’s history of enforcing some of the strictest internet regulations globally. Many Iranians have resorted to using virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent bans on popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The lifting of the WhatsApp and Google Play ban comes after two years of restrictions that were imposed in response to widespread protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for allegedly violating strict dress codes.
While some users have reported regaining access to these platforms, it remains unclear when full functionality will be restored. The Iranian government has indicated that it aims to promote local platforms alongside reintroducing foreign services, reflecting ongoing concerns about controlling the digital landscape while responding to public demand for greater access to global communication tools.
The decision aligns with President Pezeshkian’s campaign promises to improve digital freedoms and reduce censorship, but it also raises questions about the potential for increased public demands for further reforms in Iran’s internet policies.
Sources:
[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/24/iran-to-lift-ban-on-whatsapp-google-play-state-media-report
[2] https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/24/tech/iran-lifts-ban-on-whatsapp-and-google-play-state-media-says-intl/index.html
[3] https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/12/iran-lifts-ban-on-whatsapp-and-google-play/
[4] https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/WC193
[5] https://spcollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=254319&p=1695316
[6] https://guides.library.illinois.edu/periodicals/article
[7] https://www.dw.com/en/iran-lifts-ban-on-whatsapp-and-google-play/a-71154869
[8] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-write-quote-research-news-story-richard-berks
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL56bFYA8Ns
[10] https://www.reuters.com/technology/iran-lifts-ban-whatsapp-google-play-state-media-says-2024-12-24/
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