Iran is finally lifting its ban on foreign Internet platforms
If nothing else, it's a first step towards a more open internet in the country.
Because social media platforms have been widely used during antigovernment protests, the government's response has always been to ban access to these platforms or shut down the country's internet outright.
In what appears to be a Christmas gift, Iran, a predominantly Islamic country in the Middle East, known for its stringent internet regulations, has lifted restrictions on WhatsApp and Google Play, potentially marking an initial step towards easing internet controls.
But, before you get too excited and scream "digital freedom", Iran is known for having one of the world's most restrictive internet censorship systems, having blocked access to 70 per cent of the internet, including many popular websites and online services, including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Telegram.
Acquah Nana Yeboah
For example, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube have been blocked in the country since 2009, while Instagram and WhatsApp have been banned since September 2022.
It is unclear why the country has decided to lift the restrictions now or when the decision will take effect. Still, it appears to be the "first step in removing internet limitations", according to Sattar Hashemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology.
Iranian state media on Tuesday reported that it was a "positive majority vote" made in a meeting led by the country's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has vowed to remove restrictions on social media.
Before now, Iranians have stayed in touch with the rest of the world using virtual private networks, or VPNs, to bypass internet restrictions. Now, there's a chance that they can watch those cat videos we all love and get to see what the world has been up to.
If nothing else, it's a first step towards a more open internet in the country.
