Iran’s semiofficial Mehr news agency is reporting that a court has ordered that Instagram be blocked over privacy concerns.

Mehr said a court order had been given to Iran’s Ministry of Telecommunications to ban the popular mobile phone photo-sharing service because of a lawsuit.

Social websites such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook have already been blocked by censors, though many Iranians use proxy servers to bypass the controls.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani, whose office is believed to have its own Instragram account, has pledged more outreach to the West and a new openness in Iran.

Several Iranian cabinet members routinely use Twitter and Facebook.

Officials at Instagram could not be reached for comment.

Based on reporting by mehrnews.com and AP
RFE/RL