Iran lifts ban on use of WhatsApp and Google Play - Media
It is not yet clear when the decision will come into effect (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Iran lifted the ban on the use of the WhatsApp app. The restriction had been in place for over two years, reports The Times of Israel.
According to the media, Iran's Supreme Council, responsible for internet protection, voted on December 24 to lift the ban on the popular messaging app WhatsApp.
"The ban on WhatsApp and Google Play was removed by unanimous vote of the members of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace," reported IRNA.
Meanwhile, The Times of Israel clarified that the Supreme Council is chaired by the President of Iran and includes the Speaker of Parliament, the head of the judiciary, and several ministers.
"Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unanimity and consensus," stated Iran’s Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi.
The Times of Israel added that it is still unclear when the decision will take effect. Meanwhile, this move has sparked debates in Iran, with critics of the restrictions claiming that the control comes at a high cost to the country.
"The restrictions have achieved nothing but anger and added costs to people’s lives," said presidential adviser Ali Rabiei.
On the same day, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that the country's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, believes in lifting the restrictions and does not see the bans as being in the interest of the people and the country.
However, others have warned against removing the restrictions. The reformist newspaper Shargh Daily reported yesterday that 136 out of 290 lawmakers sent a letter to the council, stating that this move would be a gift to the enemies (of Iran).
It was reported about a week ago that officials in Scotland were banned from using the WhatsApp app on their work phones.
