Iran internet restrictions: Iran has officially lifted the ban of Meta’s WhatsApp messenger and the Google Play Store, a week after the Islamic nation put on hold a stringent Hijab law, which had been passed by the Iranian Parliament in September 2023. According to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the decision to lift the ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, came following a meeting in which the heads of all three branches of government, ministers, and members of the Supreme Council, participated.
During the meeting, discussions focused on reviewing and adjusting policies surrounding internet governance and restrictions. Following the presentation of assessments from relevant authorities, the council approved changes to the existing internet restrictions, IRNA reported.
Iranian authorities have officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signalling a significant shift in the country’s internet restrictions, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
“A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play”, IRNA, the country’s official news agency, said in a tweet.
The move to lift the ban aligns with the Iranian government’s broader approach to managing its digital landscape, emphasising the importance of regulated cyberspace governance while also stressing the need to support domestic platforms, it said.
Sattar Hashemi, Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, also took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, stating, “Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration. I extend my gratitude to the President, media, and activists for their efforts. We need this solidarity more than ever. This path continues.”
‘Local platforms will be priority’
However, despite lifting the ban on global global services like WhatsApp and Google Play, the Iranian government has emphasised that its approach will continue to prioritise the development and use of local platforms, according to IRNA.
Removing curbs on internet usage and platforms was one of the key promises made by President Masoud Pezeshkian during his presidential campaign, and this decision marks an early fulfilment of that commitment.
Notably, social media platforms were used widely in Iran during anti-government protests. In September, the US had Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries with heavy internet censorship, including Iran and Russia.
Iran shelves hijab law
Meanwhile, the easing of internet curbs comes fresh on the heels of another momentous decision last week when Iran paused the process of implementing a new and stricter hijab law for women. The law had been approved by Iranian parliament in September last year but will on December 18, it was revealed that the law will not be sent to the government for approval.
The temporary shelved hijab law levies harsher punishments for women who refuse to wear the hijab and for businesses that serve them, penalties previously rejected by Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian as attempts to restart talks with the West over sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program.
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