After blocking video and images on messaging app Telegram, Iran's judiciary issues order to ban Telegram completely
The hugely popular messaging app Telegram was blocked on Monday by Iran's judiciary. The messaging app is accused of allowing armed opposition groups to communicate. A Tehran judge said,"This order is to interrupt Telegram". This banning has followed the recent presidential directive to disconnect all foreign messenger apps to communicate.
This app was built by a Russian tech guru Pavel Durov and is one of the most popular social networking apps. Approximately 40 million users are connected by Telegram.
There has been a wave of protests across Iranian cities over the temporary banning of Telegram, authorities have said, " Service enabled foreign-based "counter-revolutionary" groups to stir tensions." Iranian authority has tried developing their own social media network and restrict the usage of foreign-based platforms.
This app was built by a Russian tech guru Pavel Durov and is one of the most popular social networking apps. Approximately 40 million users are connected by Telegram.
There has been a wave of protests across Iranian cities over the temporary banning of Telegram, authorities have said, " Service enabled foreign-based "counter-revolutionary" groups to stir tensions."
Iranian authority has tried developing their own social media network and restrict the usage of foreign-based platforms. Social media network Soroush network offers services similar to Telegram has been operational in Iran and has over five million subscribers.
The announcement of banning Telegram came mid-April by leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani. Anyone in breach of the order "will be considered in violation of the judicial order and prosecuted."
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First published: 1 May 2018, 13:44 IST