Iran’s top internet authority voted on Tuesday to lift the two-year ban on WhatsApp. The Supreme Council of Cyberspace made this decision unanimously, and it also included lifting the ban on Google Play. Minister of Communications Sattar Hashemi said this is a step towards easing internet restrictions in the country.
The exact date of when the decision will take effect is unclear.
The move has sparked debate. Critics argue that the restrictions only caused frustration and increased costs for the public. Presidential advisor Ali Rabiei said the restrictions were ineffective. However, some lawmakers disagreed, with 136 parliament members sending a letter opposing the decision. They believe the ban should remain unless platforms comply with Iranβs laws and values.
Iranians have often used VPNs to bypass restrictions, and while Instagram and WhatsApp were recently blocked after protests in 2022, other platforms like Facebook and YouTube have been blocked since 2009.
The protests began after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested for allegedly violating Iranβs dress code. President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July, promised to reduce internet censorship.
