‘Working to maintain Iranian mates linked’: WhatsApp as Iran blocks social media

As anger on the demise of a lady detained by the morality police fuelled protests in Iran, the administration blocked entry to social media platforms. On Thursday, WhatsApp, in an announcement, stated that it’s working to maintain “Iranian friends connected”.

People mild a hearth throughout a protest over the demise of Mahsa Amini in Iran’s Tehran. (Photo: Reuters)

The Iranian authorities blocked entry to social media platforms amid protests over the demise of a lady in police custody for not carrying hijab correctly. In an announcement, WhatsApp stated on Thursday that the corporate is working to make sure customers in Iran are linked.

WhatsApp stated, “We are working to keep our Iranian friends connected and will do anything within our technical capacity to keep our service up and running.”

READ | Anti-hijab protests unfold in Iran, demise toll rises as web curbed

Further, the corporate acknowledged that they exist to attach the world privately. “We stand with the rights of individuals to entry personal messaging. We should not blocking Iranian numbers,” it stated.

Iran on Wednesday restricted entry to Instagram and WhatsApp, two of the final remaining social networks within the nation, after anger on the demise of a lady detained by the morality police fuelled protests.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old from Iranian Kurdistan, who was arrested in Tehran for unsuitable apparel, died in police custody. Her demise unleashed anger over points together with freedom and rights within the Islamic Republic.

The protests unfold throughout the nation with girls popping out on the streets and demonstrating towards morality policing. Women waved and burned their veils and a few lower their hair in public.

After the protesters have been seen defacing or burning pictures of supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and late Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, authorities shut down web cellphone networks and entry to social media.

ALSO READ | Iranian girl chops hair in protest towards Hijab as individuals blow horn in assist

Thereafter, WhatsApp customers alleged they might solely ship textual content, not footage. The tech firm acknowledged that they’re working to maintain “Iranian friends connected”.

It’s probably the most widespread unrest in Iran since November 2019 protest, over improve in gas costs led to web shutdowns and deaths of lots of of protesters.

ALSO READ | Anti-hijab protests rock Iran over Mahsa Amini’s demise in custody

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