WhatsApp has said it is “concerned” that its services could be blocked in Iran after a state broadcaster urged the public to delete the messaging app, claiming it was sharing data with arch-rival Israel.

State television IRIB appealed to Iranians on Tuesday to delete WhatsApp from their phones, alleging that the app collects users’ personal data, including “last known locations and communications”, and shares them with Israel.

On Wednesday, Israel and Iran exchanged fire for the sixth consecutive day, with Israel stating it had struck a nuclear site near Tehran.

A WhatsApp spokesperson dismissed the IRIB’s claims, saying all messages sent on the app are “end-to-end encrypted”, with only the sender and recipient able to access them.

“We’re concerned these false reports will be used as an excuse to block our services at a time when people need them most,” the spokesperson told AFP.

“We do not track your precise location, we don’t keep logs of who everyone is messaging, and we do not track the personal messages people are sending one another,” they said.

WhatsApp also does not “provide bulk information to any government”.
Israel launched a massive bombing campaign against Iran on Friday, targeting nuclear and military facilities as well as residential areas.

Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones, and early on Wednesday said it had fired hypersonic missiles at Israel.

Tehran announced on Friday that it was placing temporary restrictions on the internet for the duration of the conflict.

Numerous sites and apps have since become at least partially inaccessible.

The authorities appealed to the public on Tuesday to “minimise their use of equipment connected to the internet and to take appropriate precautions” online.

For their own safety, civil servants and their security teams have been banned from using any connected devices, including smartphones, watches, and laptops, during the Israeli air offensive.

In the wake of nationwide protests triggered by the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, Iranian authorities blocked several apps and online services, including WhatsApp.

AFP