Iran has launched an alternative to YouTube called ‘Mehr’. Why not just use YouTube with its already well-established amount of cat videos, you ask? That’s because sites like YouTube (and even Facebook) have been banned in the country since 2009, with YouTube being deemed as “inappropriate”.

Mehr, which means affection in Farsi, works pretty much just like YouTube. Users can upload their own videos as well view content from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the country’s national broadcaster. The site is geared towards Farsi speakers and is aiming to “advance Iranian culture.” It might be safe to say that you’re not gonna see as much entertainment videos compared to other sites, at least not the usual kind. Censorship might be a problem as well, as this site wouldn’t even exist in the first place if it wasn’t for censorship. Still, it’s definitely better than nothing and Iran is doing good in at least providing an avenue for some creative videos made by their home country.

All those people complaining about YouTube’s redesigns, this is what Iranian users have to deal with. Hopefully Iran has got some cute cats up its sleeves.

[via The Verge]