Iran told its people on Tuesday to get WhatsApp off their phones, warning that Meta—the US tech company run by Mark Zuckerberg—is handing over their personal information to Israeli intelligence. This warning came straight from Iran’s state broadcaster as the country escalates both verbal and military attacks against Israel. The report claimed Meta apps, including WhatsApp and Instagram, are grabbing user data like location and contact info, then tagging names and passing everything to Israel. The broadcaster called Israel the “Zionist enemy.” They gave no proof. Meta fired back fast. WhatsApp released a statement calling the claims “false” and said none of it was true. “We’re concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most,” the company said. WhatsApp explained that all chats are protected with end-to-end encryption, which means not even the company can read messages. “All of the messages you send to family and friends on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one except the sender and recipient has access to those messages, not even WhatsApp.” Officials disrupt internet as fears grow over cyberattacks Online access across Iran has collapsed. Pages crash, calls drop, and messages won’t deliver. Commentators inside and outside the country said it’s not a coincidence. The government is restricting the internet again, and people inside Iran are noticing. The slowdowns are widespread, not random. Analysts said this is likely the government’s way of controlling the spread of information during a tense period of military activity. Iran is also worried about incoming cyberattacks from Israel, and some believe the state is cutting access to reduce the risk of infiltration. Meta didn’t stop at denying the spying claims. The company said it doesn’t even track precise locations. WhatsApp also said it doesn’t scan or store messages and has no agreement to send “bulk information to any government.” The encryption system, which locks every message between sender and receiver, is designed to prevent even spy agencies from accessing chats. Meta’s response came within hours of Iran’s accusation, but the broadcaster kept repeating the claims across multiple programs that day. The real story isn’t just about WhatsApp. It’s about how Iran is trying to control narratives and suppress communication. The warnings from the state broadcaster came while Iran faces a real danger of escalation with both Israel and the United States. WhatsApp and Instagram are the country’s top apps. Despite constant blocks and slow speeds, Iranians still use them to send messages, post updates, and spread news. The government knows this. That’s why the warning came now, not earlier. Khamenei threatens the US while Trump calls for unconditional surrender Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, took the fight beyond just tech platforms. On Wednesday, he warned the United States that any military action would be met with massive consequences. “Any American military entry will undoubtedly be met with irreparable damage,” he said, in remarks confirmed by NBC News. Khamenei added that Iran will never give in to pressure. “The Iranian people will firmly stand against an imposed war, just as they will stand firm against any imposed peace. This nation will never surrender to imposition from anyone.” Khamenei said Iranians can’t be forced to surrender. President Donald Trump had written on Truth Social Tuesday that US patience is “wearing thin.” He called Khamenei an “easy target,” then added, “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.” Trump said he doesn’t want missiles flying at civilians or US troops, but made it clear what the administration wants from Tehran: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” As for the WhatsApp situation, the government hasn’t banned the app officially yet. But the warning broadcast on state TV may be the first step. Iran has already banned Instagram in the past. And there’s been talk inside parliament about making the WhatsApp block permanent unless Meta shares internal data with Iranian officials. Meta said it won’t do that. The company hasn’t commented on whether they expect a total ban, but the tension isn’t going away. Cryptopolitan Academy: Want to grow your money in 2025? Learn how to do it with DeFi in our upcoming webclass. Save Your Spot
