A major policy change has been introduced by Iran in a fun twist of events, the decision is not to keep internet control but rather lift restrictions on doom scrolling and universal messaging which will include WhatsApp and Google Play.
The decision comes amid broader discussions about digital freedoms and social policies in the Islamic Republic.
“A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play,” reported Iran’s official IRNA news agency, citing a meeting headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian.Â
The information and communications technology minister, Sattar Hashemi, characterized this as “Today the first step in removing internet limitations… has been taken.”
Iran Relaxes Internet Controls Amidst US Pressure
This is particularly remarkable given the strict internet controls Iran has maintained over the years they have been among the most restrictive in the world.Â
Despite these restrictions, many Iranian citizens have consistently demonstrated the ability to find loopholes around these barriers using virtual private networks (VPNs), which allowed them to access blocked platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube.
The easing of internet restrictions follows a September appeal by the United States for leading technology companies to help bypass online censorship in nations with heavy controls over the Internet, including Iran.
Iranian officials may be hinting at a broader change in their country’s policy on access to digital and social media, which have greatly helped the protests against its government in the past.
In a similar development, Iran has temporarily suspended the implementation of a controversial new hijab law that would have placed harsher restrictions on women’s dress code.
The law, passed by the Iranian parliament last September 2023, carries harsher penalties for women refusing to wear the hijab as well as businesses that allow them.
“According to the discussions held, it was decided that this law will not be referred to the government by the parliament for now,” explained Shahram Dabiri, the vice president in charge of parliamentary affairs. This pause is particularly significant as Pezeshkian had previously expressed opposition to these harsher penalties, especially as his administration seeks to reinitiate discussions with Western nations regarding sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s President Caught Between Internet Freedom and Strict Laws
The process of implementing the proposed law put President Pezeshkian in a vulnerable position. According to Iranian law, after receiving such legislation, the president had to approve it within five days, whereafter it would become effective in 15 days with no presidential power to veto.
This leaves the last remaining option of seeking intervention to the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final ruling authority over state matters.
These recent policy shifts seem to suggest that there is a possible realignment of Iran’s stance on both digital freedoms and social regulations. The moves come at a time when the country is under pressure from within to reform and externally in terms of its international relations and negotiations over its nuclear program.
The lifting of restrictions on major platforms like WhatsApp and Google Play could have significant implications for Iranian citizens’ access to global digital services and communication tools. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes represent a temporary adjustment or signal a more permanent shift in Iran’s approach to internet freedom and social policies.
