Promoting Local Apps, Not Setting Up Fences

In recent weeks speculations on blocking the messaging app Telegram in Iran have become a hot topic in the local media. The ICT minister says, while the government plans to promote locally developed apps, Iranians are not to be barred from using foreign services.
“Localization [and promoting locally developed services] does not translate into getting disconnected from the world and fencing Iran off. Our aim is to claim a share of the global market,” the minister was quoted as saying by ICANA.
Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi met members of Majlis national security and economic commissions on Monday to address the parliamentarians’ concerns over local and foreign messaging applications.
With over 40 million active users, Telegram is the most popular messenger service in Iran. The app is also used as a social media network and news outlet in the country.
Noting that trusted sources of news have national impact in every country, Azari-Jahromi said Iranians should not rely on a foreign messenger as their trusted source for news.