WhatsApp says it is working to keep Iranians connected

WhatsApp has said it "will do anything" to ensure Iranians have access to its service after the government restricted access following protests at the death of Mahsa Amini

MENA

2 min read

�� Staff & Agencies

22 September, 2022

The Iranian government said it was restricting the use of WhatsApp [Getty]

Meta Platforms Inc's WhatsApp said on Thursday that it was working to keep users in Iran connected after t

WhatsApp "will do anything" within its technical capacity to keep the service accessible and that it was not blocking Iranian phone numbers, the messaging service said in a tweet.

We exist to connect the world privately. We stand with the rights of people to access private messaging. We are not blocking Iranian numbers. We are working to keep our Iranian friends connected and will do anything within our technical capacity to keep our service up and running
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp)

Iran on Wednesday restricted access to Instagram and WhatsApp, two of the last remaining social networks in the country, amid protests over the death of a woman in police custody, according to residents and internet watchdog NetBlocks.

, who was arrested by morality police in Tehran for "unsuitable attire", has unleashed anger over issues including freedom in the theocratic state and an economy reeling from sanctions.

Protesters in Tehran and other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles earlier on Thursday as public outrage over the death showed no signs of abating, with reports of security forces coming under attack.

(Reuters)