The Iranian government restricts access to several popular apps and platforms due to concerns over content control, communication security, and political sensitivities. Additionally, some major foreign platforms related to financial services have been blocked by their parent companies in Iran.
Below is a list of popular apps that are banned or partially restricted in the country.
Contents
Social Media Platforms
- Facebook: Banned since 2009, Facebook was widely used in political activism, particularly during protests. Despite its ban, many navigate this restriction through VPNs.
- Twitter: Like Facebook, Twitter has been banned since 2009 for its role in organizing protests. Although blocked, it is accessed by numerous officials using VPNs.
- YouTube: Although officially banned, YouTube remains accessible via VPNs. Efforts to replace it with local alternatives have been partially successful.
- TikTok: Blocked due to concerns over content, TikTok is nonetheless available through VPNs, though it is not widely popular in Iran.
Messaging Apps
- Telegram: Once extremely popular, Telegram was banned in 2018 due to its perceived role in facilitating protests and its encrypted communication features. Despite the ban, it remains popular through VPN access.
- WhatsApp: Available but often restricted, especially during protests, due to its encryption features. The government has occasionally throttled access to control communication.
Video & Audio Platforms
- Netflix: Due to Western content and cultural sensitivities, Netflix is blocked in Iran. However, residents frequently access it via VPNs.
- Spotify: This music streaming service is banned over licensing and content issues. In response, local music apps have risen in popularity.
APPLY ONLINE
Iran Tourist visa
Other Apps
- Clubhouse: Known for its open-discussion format, Clubhouse was initially available but faced censorship, particularly for political dialogues.
Dating Apps
- Tinder and Bumble: Banned due to cultural and religious norms that restrict public dating, these apps are inaccessible within Iran’s borders.
Platforms Blocked by Parent Companies in Iran
Below is a list of some notable platforms blocked by their parent companies, which are especially relevant for travelers:
| Platform | Reason for Blocking | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | Sanctions Compliance | Inaccessible for accommodation booking in Iran. |
| PayPal | Sanctions Compliance | Online payments and transfers are not available in Iran. |
| Google Play | Sanctions Compliance | Some apps and services are not available for Iranian users. |
| Coursera | Sanctions Compliance | Accessible, but certain courses and services are restricted. |
| Spotify | Sanctions Compliance | Music streaming service blocked, accessible only via VPN. |
| Amazon CloudFront | Sanctions Compliance | Cloud services are restricted for access from Iran. |
| Adobe | Sanctions Compliance | Software downloads and cloud services are blocked for users in Iran. |
| Atlassian Jira | Sanctions Compliance | Inaccessible project management and collaboration tool. |
| Coinbase | Sanctions Compliance | Cryptocurrency exchange blocked for Iranian users. |
| VMWare | Sanctions Compliance | Cloud computing and virtualization services are restricted. |
| Stripe | Sanctions Compliance | Online payment gateway is blocked for users in Iran. |
| StackOverflow | Sanctions Compliance | Popular coding forum and resource restricted for users from Iran. |
| GitLab | Sanctions Compliance | Software development platform blocked for Iranian users. |
| Xbox Live | Sanctions Compliance | Online gaming and digital media services are not accessible in Iran. |
| Wix | Sanctions Compliance | Website creation platform restricted for account creation from Iran. |
Iran Tourist Card
VPNs: A Gateway to Restricted Content
Due to extensive app restrictions, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are crucial for accessing blocked content. Nonetheless, the Iranian government actively targets and blocks popular VPN services to maintain control over internet access.
While these bans are officially in place, many Iranians continue to use VPNs like this, this or this to bypass these restrictions.
Read More
