Iran Lifts Ban on WhatsApp, Google Play

The Supreme Council for Electronic Space lifted the ban on the instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play in order to ease the restrictions imposed on some foreign platforms in the country, according to Iran's Mehr agency.

The agency stated that “the Supreme Council for Cyberspace voted in favor of removing restrictions on access to some widely used foreign platforms, including WhatsApp and Google Play.”

It indicated that the meeting was held "chaired by President Massoud Bazhkian and in the presence of the heads of the legislative and judicial authorities, in addition to the legal and real members of the Supreme Council for Cyberspace," noting that the two meetings "touched on the issue of blocking policies."

“After discussion and review, members voted unanimously, stressing the importance of the rule of law in cyberspace, in favor of removing restrictions on access to some widely used foreign platforms, including WhatsApp and Google Play,” stressing at the same time “supporting local platforms.”