Iran has lifted the ban on WhatsApp and Google Play. This means that people will now be able to avail the benefits of both these services here. This decision was taken in a meeting chaired by President Masoud Pejeshkian. After the meeting, Iran’s official news agency IRNA said that an agreement has been reached to lift the ban on some popular foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Google Play. The first step has been taken towards removing the ban on the Internet. However, no information has been received yet as to when the decision will be implemented.
There are strict restrictions in Iran
Iran is among those countries where strict restrictions have been imposed on internet access. American platforms like Facebook, X and YouTube are also banned here, but people are using them through VPN. Here social media is used extensively in anti-government protests.
Opponents of the internet ban said that it was only causing harm to the country. Presidential advisor Ali Rabai said that these sanctions have achieved nothing but have angered the people and made their lives expensive. Vice President Mohammad Javed Zarif said that the President believes in removing restrictions on the Internet and he does not consider the Internet ban to be in the interest of the country and the people.
Restrictions are in force since 2009
In 2009, there were demonstrations in Iran against Mohammad Ahmadinejad’s re-election as President. Since then, there is a ban on social media networks. Then the government had held these platforms responsible for the demonstration. Some people are still criticizing the lifting of the ban. 136 MPs of the country have sent a letter to the President saying that this decision is like a gift to the enemies of Iran.
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