The Iranian authorities have decided to authorize the social network WhatsApp and Google Play, in a first move to lift censorship on social networks, as moderate President Massoud Pezeshkian had promised during his electoral campaign.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Tehran, Siavosh Ghazi
In Iranauthorizing access to WhatsApp is a first step towards lifting the ban on social networks. But it remains in force for YouTube, the X network and Telegram, widely used by Iranians. The government of President Pezeshkian has promised to do everything to end the ban on social networks, but he is not alone in deciding.
Iran had blocked Instagram and WhatsApp after protests sparked in 2022 by the death of Mahsa Amini in detention by the morality police. These were then the most used applications since the ban on YouTube, Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and TikTok. These bans fueled controversy in Iran, with critics arguing that they were costly for the country.
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More than 80% of Iranians use VPNs
Iranians are forced to buy VPNs to access the various banned social networks, which costs them a little more than two euros each month. According to official figures, more than 80% of Iranians, especially among young people, use VPNs.
The end of the social media ban promised by the government is expected by many Iranians, even if the ultra-conservatives oppose it. But the evolution of society and social discontent due to a disastrous economic situation and a loss of influence of Iran in the Middle Eastern region seem to force the power to let go to avoid a rise in anger popular.
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