Iranian authorities have lifted the ban on Meta’s WhatsApp and Google Play as part of an initial move to ease internet restrictions.
The Islamic Republic is known for imposing some of the world’s strictest internet controls, but Iranians often bypass blocks on US-based social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube using virtual private networks.
“Iran has taken a positive step toward removing restrictions on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Google Play,” the official IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday, following a meeting led by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“The first step in relaxing internet restrictions has been made,” quoted Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Sattar Hashemi.
