Type of site | ebook subscription/audiobook |
|---|---|
| Owner | نرم افزارهای هوشمند همراه هامون زرین |
| URL | https://taaghche.com/ |
Taaghche was a popular Iranian book electronic online distribution platform. It was one of the most used apps before it was taken down on 31 July 2023 by Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance for one of its employee not wearing a hijab.[1][failed verification] University of Payam noor, the University of Tehran, the Islamic advertisement organization publishers, Beh Nashr Astan Quds Razavi publishing, and AmirKabir Publishing[2] removed their books from the store.[3][4][5][6]
On August 1, 2023, the Minister of ICT intervened and it was reopened and uncensored afterwards it was deemed that the blocking it was not the best option provided.[7]
It is owned by Hasin which owns Myket, a software for downloading games and moives, among others. HASIN is a firm which works with the Iranian state enterprise Mobile Communications of Iran MCI, Rightel(datak), IRIB, and Iranian banks.[8]
According to Radio Farda, the website became unavailable after the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued a notice that the website needed to obtain a license to operate. The notice came after the a photo of a woman employee without a hijab was posted on Twitter.[9]
Nashr Shahid Kazemi publishing house supported the block offered financial reimbursement to publishers if they want to cut off Taaghche.[10]
Keyhan supported the censor.[11]
The domain ban faced disapproval, and came with a wide array of online criticism from internet users directed toward the government.[12] A Damande company chief tweeted the government is inventing Endup out of Startup.[13]
Two days ago, there had been a similar event with Digikala.