Tehran – Iranian state television on Tuesday urged the public to remove WhatsApp, alleging that the app shares user data with Israel. The claim comes amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing digital crackdowns by the Iranian government. However, officials did not provide any evidence to support their accusation.
This move is the latest in a pattern of digital restrictions and information control measures imposed by the Iranian regime, especially during times of political unrest or geopolitical conflict. The call to delete WhatsApp appears to be part of a broader effort to limit foreign influence and control data flows, though critics argue it may primarily be aimed at reducing citizens’ access to encrypted communication platforms.
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WhatsApp Rejects Accusations, Defends Encryption Standards
In response, WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, issued a firm denial. “We are concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most,” the company said.
WhatsApp emphasized that it does not track precise locations, does not maintain message logs, and does not monitor personal messages. It reaffirmed its use of end-to-end encryption, a technology that ensures only the sender and recipient can read messages, even if data is intercepted.
The company added, “We do not provide bulk information to any government.” WhatsApp’s encryption protocol ensures that even if communications are intercepted, the content remains unreadable without the appropriate decryption key.
Meta, which also owns Facebook and Instagram, has long stood by WhatsApp’s privacy-first framework, despite increasing scrutiny and government censorship in various countries.
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A Pattern of Social Media Crackdowns in Iran
This is not the first time Iranian authorities have taken action against foreign digital platforms. In 2022, during nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody, the Iranian government blocked WhatsApp and Google Play, among other platforms. The restrictions were lifted only in late 2023, but internet censorship remains a sensitive and heavily politicized issue.
Despite government controls, WhatsApp continues to be one of the most widely used messaging apps in Iran, along with Instagram and Telegram. Many users circumvent restrictions using VPNs and proxy services, preserving their access to global platforms and encrypted communication tools.
Iran’s allegations against WhatsApp arrive in the context of ongoing Middle East tensions and a growing battle over information sovereignty. As digital platforms become both lifelines and battlegrounds, the clash between state control and private encryption technologies is only intensifying.