Iran Promotes Bale Messenger Amid Internet Blackout
Iran is urging its citizens to use Bale Messenger—a domestic app previously flagged for surveillance—during a nationwide internet blackout. As the country faces its fifth consecutive day of restricted online access since June 18, 2025, authorities have promoted the app as a solution for citizens looking to communicate with loved ones abroad. However, experts warn that Bale Messenger surveillance issues raise serious privacy concerns, especially for those unaware of the app’s background.
Bale Messenger surveillance raises major privacy risks
Security researchers have long criticized Bale Messenger for its lack of end-to-end encryption (E2EE), a basic standard in secure messaging. Unlike apps like Signal or WhatsApp, which protect user chats from prying eyes, Bale reportedly shares sensitive user data with its own servers. Developed by a firm linked to the National Bank of Iran, the app is believed to have censorship and surveillance mechanisms built in—making it a questionable choice during a time of heightened government control.
Why Iran is pushing a risky messaging app
On June 20, the Fars News Agency—affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—publicly recommended Bale Messenger via Twitter, encouraging both foreign and local users to rely on the app amid the outage. The move appears to be part of a broader strategy to keep communications within state-monitored platforms. With platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram either blocked or barely functioning, the push for Bale highlights Iran’s effort to tighten control over digital communication.
Safer alternatives to Bale Messenger
For users concerned about Bale Messenger surveillance, exploring encrypted alternatives like Signal or Element may offer safer options—though access may be restricted within Iran. Virtual private networks (VPNs) and censorship circumvention tools remain essential for navigating the country’s tightly controlled internet landscape. As the blackout continues, citizens must weigh the urgency of staying connected against the risks of using apps under heavy government scrutiny.
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