"A first step": Iran releases WhatsApp and Play Store again
In the face of a massive wave of protests, the Iranian leadership had WhatsApp blocked in 2022. This has now been lifted and further easing is to follow.
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After more than two years, the Iranian regime has lifted the ban on WhatsApp and also unblocked Google's Play Store. This was reported by the AP news agency, citing the Islamic Republic's state media. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Iranian President Massud Peseshkian. Before his election in the summer, he had promised to lift the strict restrictions on social networks and internet services. The regime in Tehran had WhatsApp blocked in the fall of 2022, when there was a massive wave of protests following the death of a young woman in the custody of the morality police.
Release for Christmas
Iranian Communications Minister Sattar Heshemi described the lifting of the block on Christmas Eve as a "first step", hinting that further internet services could be unblocked. "The path continues," he announced. Initially, people in Tehran were able to use WhatsApp on their computers again, but since December 25, the messenger has also been usable on smartphones again, according to monitoring data. According to the measurement data from the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), the WhatsApp alternatives Signal and Telegram, among others, are still blocked.
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Two years ago, the Islamic Republic demanded that the US internet company Meta open a representative office in the country as part of the WhatsApp ban. At the time, there was talk that the block could otherwise become permanent. So far, there is no indication that Meta's refusal has changed. WhatsApp was considered particularly popular in the country. At the beginning of 2023, the messenger introduced proxy support to circumvent blockades and blocks such as those imposed by the Islamic Republic. Such techniques are widespread in the country with its strict internet control.
(mho)
