WhatsApp Lecture in Iran

Iranian users are experiencing inconsistent filtering of various Internet and mobile application technologies as Iranian authorities determine their communications policies. On December 26, 2013, the Secretary of Iran’s Working Group to Determine Instances of Criminal Content on the Internet told Fars News Agency that blocking Tango, Viber, WhatsApp, and other mobile communications applications remain on the Working Group’s agenda. Three days later, Iranian users reported that Viber had been blocked in Iran; Instagram and WeChat had been blocked earlier, despite disagreement from Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. These developments have cast serious doubts among users about whether the Rouhani administration may be able to deliver on his promise of access to information.

The frequent announcements about banning different Internet services are in direct contradiction with Hassan Rouhani’s statements. After his election victory, in a September 21, 2013 interview with NBC, Rouhani said, “The viewpoint of government is that people should have access to all international information. Our monitoring and observations should be in the framework of protecting our national identity and moral values.” Rouhani added, “Social networks are important too. In my election time, I did not have a very powerful headquarters. But all my supporters, all of those who supported me—most of them, especially the youth—benefited from these networks. And right now they are using these networks and through these networks they are monitoring the functions of the government. I see all the activities of the youth in these networks, and I’m happy with this and the way they are monitoring, the working of the president and the government. But personally speaking I do not have a specific program in social networks. But my supporters are most active in these areas.”

Hassan Rouhani has explicitly defended the people’s right to access the Internet. “Bear in mind that many of the actions enforced by individuals and specific organizations against freedom in the virtual space don’t have good intentions behind them. I mean they are not particularly concerned about public morality or the threats these environments could pose against the youth; they have political goals. They are afraid of the freedom in such environments, they are after restricting news, and the restrictions are not effective, either. I wish those who support blocking would explain where they have been successful in restricting people’s access to the news. Access to which important news of recent years has become inaccessible as a result of blocking? These actions have not even been successful in making immoral websites inaccessible. Widespread blocking has no use other than erecting a higher wall of distrust between the people and the government and damaging our economy, and preventing development of positive applications on the Internet in Iran,” the President told Chelcheragh Magazine.