Apple Appears to Have Completely Blocked App Store Access in Iran

Iran App Store Credit: Gizmodo
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Apple appears to have entirely blocked access to the iOS App Store for users based in Iran, according to a new report.

The block was first spotted by Bleeping Computer, which received reports of the country-wide ban that took effect around noon GMT. According to the publication, the ban is based on users’ IP addresses — as an Iranian security researcher said he was able to access the App Store via VPN.

Reportedly, as of today, users are unable to connect to the iOS App Store, or install applications from the storefront. Sources indicate that, when opening the App Store app, they’re greeted with a message stating that “The App Store is unavailable in the country or region you’re in.”

Apple doesn’t officially operate an App Store in Iran or sell products in the country. But Iranian users have long been able to import Apple-made devices and use them to access some parts of the App Store that are — technically — meant for other regions.

For example, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus devices, imported from Hong Kong, were reportedly available in the country within 24 hours of being launched, Gizmodo reported.

Currently, it’s unclear why Apple made the change, and the Cupertino tech giant hasn’t publicly issued a statement on the matter as of the writing of this article. But, presumably, the IP block is related to tougher sanctions placed on Iran last year by President Donald Trump.

It’s not the first time that Apple has cracked down on the App Store in the country. Last August, the company pulled several popular apps created by Iranian developers from the app storefront, stating that their removal was due to U.S. sanctions.

“Under the U.S. sanctions, the App Store cannot host, distribute, or do business with apps or developers connected to certain U.S. embargoed countries,” Apple wrote in a statement to Iranian developers at the time. “The area of law is complex and constantly changing. If the existing restriction shifts, we encourage you to resubmit your app for inclusion in the App Store.”

The move will, obviously, make it much harder for people in Iran to use Apple devices without the use of a VPN. Some Iranian users are, undoubtedly, upset about the ban. One user in the country took to Twitter to express his frustrations.

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