On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Iranian state television urged citizens to remove WhatsApp from their smartphones.
It claimed the messaging app collects user information and sends it to Israel.
The accusation, was reported by Iran’s IRIB network, and has heightened tensions amid ongoing Israel-Iran conflicts.
This has further prompted fears of a renewed WhatsApp ban in the country.
WhatsApp Denies Allegations
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, responded with a statement expressing concern that
“these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most.”
The company emphasized its use of end-to-end encryption, ensuring only senders and recipients can read messages.
“We do not track precise locations, keep logs of who is messaging, or provide bulk information to any government,” WhatsApp clarified, refuting Iran’s claims.
Cybersecurity Expertise Weighs In
Gregory Falco, a Cornell University cybersecurity expert, noted that while WhatsApp’s messages are encrypted, metadata—such as usage patterns—remains unencrypted and can reveal user behavior.
“It’s been demonstrated that you can understand things about how people are using the app” Falco said, explaining why some distrust WhatsApp.
He also highlighted data sovereignty issues, noting that WhatsApp’s data from Iran is likely stored outside the country, raising concerns about foreign access.
Iran’s History of Social Media Bans
Iran has restricted social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google Play since 2022.
The ban was due to the protests over a woman’s death in morality police custody, though many Iranians bypass bans using VPNs.
WhatsApp, one of Iran’s most popular apps alongside Telegram, was unbanned in late 2024, making the new allegations significant.
Posts on social media suggest public skepticism, with netizens questioning the timing amid Iran’s refusal to negotiate a ceasefire with Israel.
Implications for Privacy and Access
The call to remove WhatsApp could prelude another ban, limiting communication options during a volatile period.
Falco stressed the need for in-country data hosting to build trust, saying, “It’s increasingly hard to trust global data infrastructure.”
As Iran navigates geopolitical tensions and domestic unrest, the WhatsApp controversy underscores broader challenges around privacy, security, and state control over digital platforms.
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