Iran has taken a big step toward loosening its draconian internet regulations by formally lifting its ban on Google Play and WhatsApp. Following a meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian state media announced the decision, which is the first in a larger effort to loosen internet restrictions that have been in place for more than two years, especially since the massive demonstrations that were sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022.
In the midst of nationwide demonstrations against the government, Google Play and WhatsApp bans were put in place. In the past, these forums were essential for demonstrators to communicate with one another.
This lifting of the restriction has been characterized by the Iranian administration as a “first step” toward greater internet freedom. Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Sattar Hashemi,
Iran continues to impose stringent controls over numerous other social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, which are still unavailable without the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), even after these specific prohibitions were lifted. In addition to reinstating international services, the administration intends to keep promoting local platforms.
Although the full impact on users and businesses has not yet been assessed, this development is viewed as potentially marking a turning point for internet freedom in Iran. The ruling underscores persistent conflicts between the public’s desire for more access to international digital resources and state control.
