TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace has agreed to lift restrictions on popular platforms, including WhatsApp and Google Play, marking a significant shift in the country’s internet governance policies. The decision was made during a meeting on Tuesday, attended by the heads of the three branches of government, ministers, and council members. The session revisited policies on internet blockades amid growing demands for greater digital access, as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
After reviewing recommendations from relevant authorities, the council approved easing restrictions but underscored the importance of regulated cyberspace governance and bolstering domestic platforms. Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Sattar Hashemi, announced the decision on social media, stating, "Today, we took the first step toward lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration. I extend my gratitude to the President, media, and activists for their efforts. This path continues." This announcement aligns with President Masoud Pezeshkian's campaign pledge to improve internet access as part of his modernization agenda.
The decision has been anticipated by many within the Iranian populace, who have long faced some of the world’s toughest internet restrictions. The lifting of the WhatsApp and Google Play bans could be seen as directly beneficial to many Iranians, particularly small business owners who rely on these platforms for communication and transactions.
"The members reached a consensus to lift access restrictions on widely used foreign platforms, including WhatsApp and Google Play," the IRNA reported, indicating the unified stance taken by top government officials on this matter. This consensus is noteworthy, especially considering the historical precedence of strict government control over internet freedoms within the Islamic Republic.
During the council meeting, participants also discussed the need for maintaining lawful governance over cyberspace. While WhatsApp and Google Play are now set to be accessible again, concerns linger over the status of other platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram—applications where hardliner resistance continues to pose challenges. The decision could pave the way for negotiations with these platforms, yet remains contingent on assessment by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Abolhassan Firouzabadi, the former head of Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace, emphasized the need for the final ratification of the lifting of restrictions by Khamenei. He commented during state TV coverage, illustrating the intertwining of politics and technology within the Iranian governance framework.
The latest development occurs as Iran's government grapples with societal demands for more open internet access alongside internal resistance from conservative factions. Reports suggest 136 members of Parliament have sent letters urging the Supreme Council to retain restrictions on platforms. The opposition highlights significant factions, such as the Paydari Front—an ultra-conservative political faction—strongly urging government adherence to original filtering policies.
MP Reza Taghipour, who has been vocal against the lifting of restrictions, has been gathering signatures from fellow lawmakers to bolster his case against the council's decision. His actions, particularly his previous criticisms against internet filters, reflect the tension within Iranian politics about balancing digital accessibility and control.
Despite these internal conflicts, the Iranian government’s shift toward easing restrictions signifies potential growth opportunities for the tech sector and small businesses which predominantly rely on international platforms. Google Play, for example, would enable Android phone users to download VPN applications, tools historically utilized to bypass government internet filtering, thereby providing residents with more digital autonomy.
The lifting of WhatsApp and Google Play bans signifies the beginning of broader discussions on internet governance and the acknowledgment of mounting public pressure and dissatisfaction with heavy censorship. While the route to complete digital freedom remains complex and fraught with bureaucratic obstacles, this first step is a noteworthy pivot.
This policy change could be seen as part of Iran’s adaptation to global standards of internet provision, ranking alongside growing demands for greater accountability and accessibility as highlighted by the Freedom House reports, which label Iran as having one of the world's poorest environments for internet freedoms.
The developments surrounding WhatsApp and Google Play bring forward conversations about the balance between regulation and innovation and what lies at the heart of digital access rights for citizens of Iran. This apparent contradiction between facilitating access to global platforms and restricting others will continue to be monitored closely by both domestic stakeholders and international observers.