Iranian Government Lifts Access Restrictions To WhatsApp And Google Play

JAKARTA - The Iranian government has lifted access restrictions to WhatsApp and Google Play instant messaging platforms, as a first step towards reducing internet restrictions there.

This decision was taken during a meeting held on Tuesday, December 24 with participation from the heads of three branches of government, ministers, and other board members who reviewed policies surrounding internet blocking.

After explaining the perspective previously assessed by the relevant authorities, the council approved adjustments to existing restrictions.

The majority of positive votes have been achieved to lift access restrictions to several popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play, Iran's official news agency, IRNA, quoted Friday, December 27.

Sattar Hasemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communication Technology also said, "Today, we are taking the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration."

Iran is one of the countries that has some of the strictest controls on internet access in the world. However, some people there can still access Facebook, X, or YouTube using VPN.

And the lifting of internet restrictions is one of the promises made by President Masoud Pezeshkian during his presidential campaign.