In a significant step towards breaking the digital isolation, the Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced the return of Snapchat services to full and normal operation within Syrian territory, without the need to use VPNs that users have relied on for years.
Government efforts to connect Syria to the digital world
This step comes as the culmination of intensive efforts led by a specialized team within the ministry, aimed at establishing direct communication channels with major global technology companies, particularly those based in Silicon Valley, USA. These initiatives aim to reintegrate Syrian users into the global digital ecosystem, as part of the ministry's strategy to rehabilitate digital infrastructure and improve the quality of services provided to citizens.
Behind the scenes of the comeback: technical and legal challenges
In a statement regarding this achievement, Engineer Abdulwahab Amira, the official in charge of artificial intelligence and government applications and supervisor of communication with international companies, explained that the process was not automatic. He pointed out that the prevailing belief that services would be restored immediately upon the issuance of legal exemptions or the easing of sanctions (such as the technology-related exemptions in the Caesar Act) is inaccurate.
Amira added: "The reality is quite different; the return of these services requires a long process that begins with communicating with the legal departments of global companies, then including the necessary technical modifications within their busy work schedules. This includes making complex software modifications, rerouting server traffic, and passing quality and security tests before the official public launch.".
Ending the era of "digital censorship"
Syria’s technology sector has suffered for years from the blocking of American and international tech services, forcing millions of users, startups, and developers to rely on VPNs, which often result in slower internet speeds, excessive data consumption, and potential security risks. The return of Snapchat is a positive sign that access to other vital platforms may also be restored.
Amira stressed that the Minister of Communications is following up on this file on a daily basis, to ensure that international companies are not left to work according to their slow timetables that may not put the Syrian market in their commercial priorities, but rather that efforts are being made to accelerate these steps in a way that meets the needs of the Syrian user.
Looking ahead: Beyond Snapchat
The government's plan extends beyond social media and entertainment platforms to include more vital business platforms. The ministry has confirmed its current focus on global platforms offering cloud hosting and information security solutions. The restoration of these services is of paramount importance, as it will provide direct access to thousands of currently blocked websites, thus supporting the software and business sectors in Syria.
The ministry is currently working in cooperation with supporting institutions such as "SYNC", and with the support of a wide network of Syrian experts working in major technology companies around the world, to accelerate the pace of lifting the digital embargo on the remaining basic services.
