Iran Announces the Unblocking of Google Play and WhatsApp, Plans to Lift More Restrictions to Gradually Open the Internet

Iran has long been known for blocking access to many foreign social media sites and instant messaging platforms, such as Facebook, X/Twitter, and YouTube, which have been inaccessible in the country since 2009.

In July 2024, Masoud Pezeshkian became the President of Iran and promised to lift internet restrictions. Now, these promises are being gradually fulfilled, starting with the unblocking of the major Android app store, Google Play, and the instant messaging tool WhatsApp, owned by the social media conglomerate Meta.

On December 24, local time, the Supreme Council of Cyberspace in Iran held a meeting and voted to lift the access restrictions on popular foreign platforms like Google Play, thanks to the majority of members voting in favor.

Following the vote, the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, responsible for such regulations, issued a statement saying, "We have taken the first step towards lifting internet restrictions in unity and collaboration. Iran needs this unity more than ever before."

Although the decision to lift restrictions has been passed, the specific implementation time remains unclear. As of now, direct access to Google Play and WhatsApp is still blocked in Iran, with the latter being an essential tool for many Iranians to communicate with their families and friends.

During the meeting, President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that investigations have shown that the overall objectives of internet restriction measures have not been achieved. Therefore, while emphasizing the development of cyberspace governance to prevent its harms, continuing restrictions and inconveniencing the people is unacceptable.