Iran lifts ban on foreign messaging apps in government agencies

Iran has lifted a ban on government agencies using foreign messaging apps, a government spokesperson said, in a move aimed at enabling authorities to respond more quickly to misinformation and what Tehran describes as an information war against the country.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s government, announced the decision at a press conference, according to TASS.

“One of the decisions made over the past few days that has helped us take a stronger position in the media war is the lifting of the ban on government institutions operating on foreign messaging apps,” Mohajerani said.

She stressed that the decision does not mean government employees will conduct official correspondence through foreign messaging platforms. Mohajerani noted that some official documents had previously ended up on foreign messaging apps on occasion.

She said the main objective of lifting the restriction was “to ensure the ability to respond promptly to emerging doubts and information fabrications, as well as to effectively counter psychological operations and the information war” being waged against Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova