Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta’s instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play as a first step to scale back internet restrictions.

The Supreme Cyberspace Council, which is tasked with safeguarding the internet for Iranian citizens, voted unanimously to lift restrictions on a number of foreign-owned applications during a meeting today, according to a report by the state news agency IRNA.

Iran has lifted its ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, potentially marking a shift towards greater internet freedom. The decision was made after a government meeting headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The move has sparked a debate in Iran, with critics of the restrictions arguing the controls were costly for the country

Iranian authorities remove restrictions on Meta's messaging platform WhatsApp and on Google Play, marking an initial move to ease internet limitations.

Iran has lifted restrictions on the Google Play app store and WhatsApp, state news agency IRNA reported on Tuesday. The agency said that the applications have been reactivated by the authorities, with more apps expected to follow soon.

Iran has officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signaling a significant shift in its internet policy. This move, part of President Masoud Pezeshkian's commitment to easing internet restrictions,

Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta's WhatsApp and Google Play, marking the first step towards scaling back internet restrictions.

Many people reached by The Associated Press across the capital, Tehran, and other cities said they had access to the services on computers but not yet on mobile phones. WhatsApp has been the third most popular messaging platform in Iran after Instagram and Telegram.