Iran's state television is urging citizens to delete WhatsApp**, claiming, without evidence, that the popular messaging app is transmitting user data to Israel. This directive comes amid heightened military tensions between the two nations.

On Tuesday, the Iranian state broadcaster asserted that WhatsApp and Instagram are collecting user information, including "last known location and communications," and providing it to "the Zionist enemy," referring to Israel. No proof was offered to support these serious allegations.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, swiftly denied the accusations in a public statement. The company expressed concern that these "false reports" could become an excuse to block their services when people need them most for communication.

WhatsApp emphasized its end-to-end encryption, stating, "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."

The company further clarified that it does not track users' precise locations or monitor message content. "We do not provide bulk information to any government," the statement affirmed, underscoring its commitment to user privacy.

These allegations surface as Iran experiences severe internet disruptions, with officials and experts suggesting government restrictions to control information flow and as a precaution against potential cyberattacks.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/world/middleeast/iran-whatsapp-delete.html