Iran Begins Easing Internet Restrictions with WhatsApp and Google Play Unbanned

The government lifts bans on select platforms as part of a broader plan to reduce online censorship and address public discontent.

Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace unanimously voted to lift the bans on WhatsApp and Google Play, marking the first step in scaling back internet restrictions.
The bans were initially imposed during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, which saw widespread use of social media to organize and share information.
Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July, had pledged to relax internet censorship as part of his campaign platform.
While the decision signals progress, other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube remain blocked, with VPNs still widely used to bypass restrictions.
Critics within Iran argue the bans have caused economic and social harm, though some lawmakers have opposed lifting restrictions, citing concerns over adherence to Islamic values.