Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 17
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
A group of Iranian web users accessed video-sharing website YouTube last night despite the strict ban in the country.
Although Iranian officials have blocked the website; users accessed YouTube through various internet providers in Iran on Jan. 16 night, Mehr news agency reported on Jan. 17.
A group of Iranian social media users have speculated that the ban on YouTube has been lifted in connection with the removal of international sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program.
Over the past years Iran has banned several social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. However some Iranian users managed to log into their social media accounts through techniques to circumvent blocks such as proxy servers.
Mohammad Reza Farnaqizadeh, an official with the Iranian communications ministry, has denied any official decision on lifting the ban on YouTube and said that his organization is investigating the issue.
Earlier in 2013 Iranians had a few hours access to Facebook and Twitter which was later explained as technical glitch.