Communication security

Iran to Replace Telegram With Homemade App for Sake of ‘National Security’

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that in a few weeks the country is going to launch a new domestic messenger to replace Telegram.

Boroujerdi emphasized that a decision was made at the highest levels, and Telegram would be replaced by a domestic app. He said that, considering the app's role during last year's protests, the decision was made "in the interest of national security" and Telegram would be banned by the end of Farvardin (the first month of the Solar Hijri calendar, the official calendar of Iran. Farvardin begins on March 21 and ends on April 20 of the Gregorian calendar).

As an alternative to Telegram, Boroujerdi presented a national messenger, namely Soroush. It stands to mention that more than 40 million Iranians use Telegram.

Considering that Telegram's MAU (monthly active users) in February was 200 million people then Iranians account for almost one-fifth of the total number of users.