Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta's instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.

Iran’s government says it has lifted a ban on access to WhatsApp and Google Play after more than two years. That's according to the official IRNA news agency.

Authorities vote to allow Meta’s instant messaging platform and Google Play as first step to scale back internet curbs.

Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace on Dec 24 approved the lifting of blocks on certain widely used foreign platforms. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The move has sparked a debate in Iran, with critics of the restrictions arguing the controls were costly for the country

In September the United States called on Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries that heavily censor the internet, including Iran.

By bne Tehran bureau Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace on Tuesday announced the removal of restrictions on WhatsApp and Google Play, in what officials described as a first step towards lifting broader internet filtering measures.