Iran’s state broadcaster has urged citizens to delete WhatsApp, claiming without evidence that the app shares user data with Israel amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
In a Tuesday broadcast, the network alleged WhatsApp and Instagram were transmitting users’ personal details, including their latest location and communication history, to Israel. The statement referred to Israel as “the Zionist enemy” but offered no proof to support its accusations.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, rejected the claims as false. “We’re concerned these false reports will be used as a pretext to block our services at a time when people need them most,” the company said. It stressed that all messages are protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and recipient can view their content — not even WhatsApp.
Internet access in Iran has faced widespread disruptions in recent days. Experts, users, and officials believe the government may be restricting connectivity to control information flow amid fears of Israeli cyberattacks and ongoing military exchanges.
WhatsApp reiterated that it does not share bulk data with any government, track users’ precise locations, or monitor personal messages.
