Iran blocks social media apps amid anti-government protests

The Iranian authorities have temporarily blocked access to two social media apps in the face of ongoing anti-government protests. Message app Telegram and photo app Instagram are those blocked, reported Iranian state TV on Sunday.

“The decision was made to protect citizens’ safety and security,” an anonymous source told Irib News website. The Supreme National Security Council is behind the move, the source added.

Earlier on Sunday, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov tweeted that Iranian authorities were blocking access to the popular messaging app “after our public refusal to shut down… peacefully protesting channels.”

Read: Iran protesters rally again despite warning of crackdown

Associated Press reported that Facebook, which owns Instagram, did not respond to a request for a comment on the Iranian decision.

Protests have been held in the city of Mashhad and other parts of the country against the high cost of living in Iran. At least two protestors have been killed, and dozens more have been arrested.