THE CYBER COMMITTEE HAS OPPOSED LIFTING THE BANS ON TELEGRAM, YOUTUBE, AND INSTAGRAM

The Committee for Reviewing Internet Restrictions at Iran’s National Cyberspace Center has voted against lifting the bans on Telegram, YouTube, and Instagram.

The committee, established last year by order of President Masoud Pezeshkian, met and ultimately rejected the proposal to unblock the three platforms.

According to reports, more than 16 months after Mr. Pezeshkian’s promise to end internet censorship and improve online access, only WhatsApp and Google Play have been unblocked while the Ministry of Communications has focused its public messaging mainly on these two cases.

Lifting internet bans was one of Mr. Pezeshkian’s key campaign promises, and his supporters heavily promoted it to attract voters. However, experts say that during his presidency, internet censorship has not eased; it has actually intensified.