Politics WhatsApp is back: Iran lifts some internet blocks
Iran has lifted the ban on Google Play and WhatsApp. As the state news agency Irna reported, the applications were reactivated by the responsible cyber center. This is a first step, and more apps will soon follow, it said.
24.12.2024, 19:15
SDA
Following the mass protests in 2022, internet restrictions were tightened under the arch-conservative government at the time. The aim was to prevent the dissemination of information, images and videos about the protests.
However, President Massud Peseshkian, who has been in office for around six months, described internet bans in the 21st century as absurd and promised to end them immediately. He can now report a stage victory against the hardliners. However, whether other popular services in the country, such as Instagram, Facebook, X or Telegram, will also be unblocked remains to be seen.
A large proportion of the more than 85 million Iranians ignore the internet bans and circumvent the blocks via protected network connections (VPN). Such VPN tunnels can make it look as if a user is in another country. In addition, almost the entire political leadership of the country is itself active on banned platforms such as X and Instagram.
The Shiite clergy in Iran view the internet as a threat to the theocratic system of rule. It is often argued that many apps are controlled by Iran's foreign enemies in order to cause unrest in the country. In addition, the internet has massively undermined the role of the state media and controlled reporting, according to the logic.
