Signal apparently didn’t pass the scrutiny of Iran’s mullahs; WhatsApp apparently offers them a greater ability to see what ordinary Iranians are saying. Meanwhile, this same kind of oversight, surveillance, and blocking of avenues of dissent is coming to Western countries. Shame on the short-sighted and corrupt politicians who are selling out the West’s heritage of free speech and free expression.
“Iran blocks Signal messaging app after WhatsApp exodus,” by Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 26, 2021:
Tehran, Iran – Iran’s government has moved to block Signal after Iranians flocked to the messaging platform following privacy concerns from Facebook-owned WhatsApp.
Starting on Monday, Iran-based users reported issues in connecting to the open-source Signal, which has been chosen by many as a more secure way of encrypted communication since a new privacy policy issued by WhatsApp earlier this month brought more scrutiny on the app’s data collection practices.
In a tweet, Signal said it has been “working around Iran’s censorship” since the app became the top downloaded content on Iranian app stores.
“Unable to stop registration, the IR censors are now dropping all Signal traffic,” the tweet said. “Iranian people deserve privacy. We haven’t given up.”
On January 14, Signal was ordered removed from Cafe Bazaar, Iran’s version of Google Play, and Myket, another well-known local app store.
“We thank you for understanding our limitations,” a message greeted Iranians who wished to download Signal.
The app was tagged by a filtering committee tasked with identifying “criminal content” that is headed by the country’s prosecutor general and consists of representatives from the judiciary, the communications ministry, law enforcement, the parliament, and the education ministry among others….
The fact that Signal was blocked but WhatsApp remains usable has prompted speculation by Iranian users on social media that Iran’s government somehow has access to users’ information on WhatsApp….
Infidel says
All these apps – Signal, Telegram, Safechat, Gab… shouldn’t their home pages have links to where the apps can be downloaded and installed, so that they’re not dependent on Google Play, Apple App Store, Cafe Bazaar, Myket, or anyone else. In fact, every web page that has a mobile app should host it on their own page, rather than on the app store. Cancel the power of Google, Apple, Amazon and regimes worldwide
James Lincoln says
Agreed, Infidel…
Keith O says
When a totalitarian government says it’s ok to use an app to communicate,,,,hmmm, what could possibly be wrong with that?
gravenimage says
Iran blocks Signal but not WhatsApp, prompting fears Iran has access to user info on WhatsApp
……………..
Grimly likely.