Snapchat returns to Syria without a VPN: Details of the official announcement

The Syrian Ministry of Communications officially announced the return of services for the popular social media platform Snapchat to full functionality within Syria, eliminating the need for VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) that Syrians have relied on for years to access global digital services. This step culminates intensive efforts led by a specialized team within the ministry aimed at reintegrating Syria into the global digital landscape.

Behind the scenes of the technical and legal aspects of the comeback

In detailing this technical development, Syrian engineer Abdulwahab Amira, who is responsible for artificial intelligence and government applications and oversees communication with global companies, explained that restoring the service was not simply an automatic procedure. He indicated that the process required high-level coordination with the legal and technical departments at Snapchat, headquartered in Silicon Valley.

Amira emphasized that the prevailing belief that services automatically return once political obstacles or restrictive laws are removed is technically inaccurate; the return requires a series of complex procedures, including:

• Thorough legal reviews by US companies to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
• Making software modifications to the company's servers to direct traffic towards the Syrian geographical area.
• Quality and safety tests prior to general release to users.

The end of the VPN era and the suffering of users

This move is particularly significant for the Syrian public, who have suffered for years from numerous technical difficulties due to digital censorship. The forced reliance on VPN applications drained phone batteries, slowed internet speeds, and posed security risks associated with using unreliable circumvention tools. The return of Snapchat to live service is a positive indicator of an improved digital experience for Syrian citizens.

A comprehensive strategy for the telecommunications sector

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's efforts extend beyond social media platforms to encompass critical digital infrastructure. Officials have confirmed that the current focus is on restoring services from global platforms that provide hosting and information security solutions. These services are the backbone of the digital economy, and their restoration will open the door for developers and startups in Syria to access thousands of blocked websites and tools, thus strengthening the digital business environment.

The Ministry is working daily and directly, under the supervision of the Minister of Communications, to accelerate these steps and not leave them to the usual bureaucracy in large companies, in cooperation with technology institutions such as “SYNC” and with the support of expatriate Syrian talents working in major technology companies around the world, to ensure that Syria regains its position in the digital space as quickly as possible.