Iran Blocks Telegram, Promotes Own Messaging App

Iran’s state media reported this week that the country’s judiciary court has decided to block popular encrypted messaging app Telegram, effective last Monday.

The Iranian government says that Telegram had been used to coordinate illicit activities, as well as anti-government protests during the period of unrest earlier this year. The government is instead endorsing a homegrown messaging service called Soroush which reportedly features emojis depicting veiled women calling for “death to America”.

The decision was shortly made after Russia’s own ban on Telegram which citizens protested at a march in Moscow last Monday.

Source: CNBC