Iranian authorities have officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signaling a significant change in the country’s internet restrictions, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
The decision, which comes after a meeting with top government officials, marks a new step towards easing the internet blockade that has restricted access to major global platforms for some time.
A meeting was called on Tuesday with the participation of the heads of the three branches of government, ministers and members of the Supreme Council, where the discussion focused on reviewing and adjusting policies related to Internet governance and restrictions.
Following the presentation of the relevant authorities’ assessments, the Council approved changes to existing Internet restrictions.
Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi later took to Express my gratitude.” , the media and activists need this solidarity more than ever for their efforts.”
According to IRNA reports, the move to lift sanctions is in line with the Iranian government’s broader approach to managing its digital landscape, which emphasizes the importance of regulated cyberspace governance, as well as the need to support domestic platforms. Has been given.
Lifting Internet restrictions was one of the key promises made by President Massoud Pezeshkian during his presidential campaign, and this decision marks the early fulfillment of that commitment.
However, despite the progress, the government has stressed that its approach will continue to prioritize the development and use of local platforms along with the re-introduction of global services such as WhatsApp and Google Play, IRNA reported.
As these changes unfold, the broader impact on both local businesses and individual users has yet to be fully assessed, but the easing of restrictions is an important step forward for Internet freedom in Iran.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)