Encrypted messaging platform Telegramhas been blocked in Iran, highlighting the regime's concern over its role in organising widespread unrest that has rippled through the country in recent months, the media reported.
More than 40 million Iranians, which is half of the country's population, use the popular messaging platform to communicate.
"Using the app was prohibited under a ruling by a Tehran-based court," The Wall Street Journalreported late on Monday.
When the ban is implemented, Telegramwill join the likes of Social Media GiantFacebookand Micro-blogging SiteTwitterthat were banned in Iran
Meanwhile, Russian Telecomwatchdog Roskomnadzor on Sunday banned a number of GoogleIP addresses that allow Telegramto escape blockage in Russiaover user data disputes.
"Googlefailed to meet the requirements of Roskomnadzor and in violation of a court verdict continued to allow Telegramto use its IP addresses to carry out activities in Russia," Roskomnadzor said in a statement cited by Xinhua News Agency
Roskomnadzor began blocking Telegramin accordance with a court decision due to the messenger's refusal to provide Encryptionkeys necessary to decode user data.
However, Telegrammanaged to bypass the blocking and continued its activities using IP addresses belonging to Googleand other Technologycompanies.
--IANS
ksc/soni/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)