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Iran minister: WhatsApp, Viber shutdown won't solve problem

Iran's Communication Minister Mahmoud Vaezi, in response to the judiciary's request to shut down WhatsApp, Viber and Tango, said it would not solve the issue at hand.

A Whatsapp App page is seen on Facebook on a Samsung Galaxy S4 phone in the central Bosnian town of Zenica, February 20, 2014. Facebook Inc will buy fast-growing mobile-messaging startup WhatsApp for $19 billion in cash and stock in a landmark deal that places the world's largest social network closer to the heart of mobile communications and may bring younger users into the fold. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - Tags: BUSINESS) - RTX196E9
A WhatsApp page is seen on Facebook on a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone, Zenica, Feb. 20, 2014. — REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

In response to a final order by the judiciary to close down mobile messaging services WhatsApp, Viber and Tango, Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi said that it would have no effect. “Our technical studies indicate that the number of social networks such as WhatsApp, Viber and Tango is so numerous that shutting them down is not the solution,” said Communications Minister Mahmoud Vaezi Oct. 1 to reporters.

He added, “To think that by shutting down social media networks problems will be resolved; there is a difference of opinion that in cooperation with the judiciary we have to find a common solution for.”

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