Iran lifts two-year ban on WhatsApp and Google Play access

Iran has lifted a two-year ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, according to the official IRNA news agency. The decision was made by the Supreme Council of Cyber Space during a meeting led by President Masoud Pezeshkian. While many users in Tehran and other cities report access on computers, mobile access remains limited. The ban was initially imposed in 2022 during protests following the death of a woman in police custody. The telecommunications minister described the move as a "first step" toward further unblocking services. Iran has a history of restricting social media, but many citizens use proxies and VPNs to bypass these limitations.