Recent statements by the President of Iran have dashed any lingering hopes that citizens had regarding his electoral promise to lift widespread restrictions on the internet and social networks. His earlier commitments to remove filtering now appear hollow, as the regime’s actions suggest a continued effort to tighten control over online spaces.
During his first appearance at the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, Pezeshkian, the head of the council, made no reference to reducing internet censorship. Instead, he prioritized a report on the current state of internet restrictions and the growing issue of illegal VPN sales. Pezeshkian instructed the National Center of Cyberspace to prepare a comprehensive report detailing the situation and to formulate strategies for addressing VPN sales, emphasizing that this should be the primary focus of the council’s efforts.
Pezeshkian underscored the importance of cracking down on VPN sales, saying, “The fact that some people earn billions by selling VPNs is not beneficial for our country. This issue must be addressed seriously so we can make informed decisions.” However, many Iranian technology experts and activists claim that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is deeply involved in the VPN market within Iran.
Iranian authorities, including Issa Zarepour, the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, have advised against using foreign VPNs, citing cybersecurity concerns. Instead, users are encouraged to use state-approved, paid VPNs. This policy has allowed the regime to monitor user activity more effectively while generating significant profits, estimated at around three trillion tomans per month, which benefits regime-linked institutions.
During a televised debate, Pezeshkian stated that “the internet is not unlimited anywhere in the world” and that it could be restricted for security reasons. Nevertheless, during his campaign, he had spoken out against internet censorship and filtering, promising to work towards unblocking social networks if elected. His recent actions, however, align with the regime’s long history of broken promises, leading many to view his campaign rhetoric as mere manipulation aimed at increasing voter turnout.
Following the recent October 1st missile attack by the Iranian regime on Israeli territory, social media users in Iran noticed a sharp decline in internet speed and quality. This is not unprecedented: during previous protests, such as those in November 2019 and the fall of 2022, the regime responded by severely limiting internet access, even going so far as to block platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, which had been among the few remaining unfiltered communication tools.
As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, many experts predict that the regime will further restrict internet access to stifle dissent and control the narrative. In the event of heightened military conflict, a complete shutdown of the global internet or significant reductions in speed and access seem likely, allowing the regime to disseminate its own version of events while suppressing independent reports and criticism.
This growing authoritarian grip on cyberspace signals a continued erosion of online freedom in Iran, with little hope for change in the near future. Despite promises made during electoral campaigns, the reality for Iranian citizens remains one of increasing restrictions and diminishing access to the global internet.
Source » irannewsupdate