:Internet censorship in Iran

Following the establishment of a theocratic government in 1979, religious authorities used a mix of bombastic propaganda and brutal censorship to consolidate their political power and demonize potential opponents.{{Cite web |last=Brooking 1, Kianpour 2 |first=Emerson T. 1, Suzanne 2 |date=10 February 2020 |title=IRANIAN DIGITAL INFLUENCE EFFORTS: GUERRILLA BROADCASTING FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IRAN-DIGITAL.pdf |access-date=26 January 2025}} Building upon a long tradition of resistance to Western influence throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the newly empowered religious authorities sought to dominate the information sphere in all its forms (e.g., traditional print media, oral debate, and electronic media).

Iran was the second country in the Middle East, after Israel, to embrace the Digital Age. In January 1993 Dr. Larijani, director of the Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics (IPM), sent Iran's first e-mail message (a greeting to administrators at the University of Vienna).{{Cite web |last=Rahimi |first=Babak |date=September 2003 |title=Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 7, No. 3 (Sept. 2003), Cyber Dissent: The Internet in Revolutionary Iran |url=https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/meria/meria03_rab01.pdf |access-date=26 January 2025}} Initially, the leadership of the Islamic Republic viewed the internet as a tool which could (1) improve the efficiency of the state bureaucracy with the development of e-government programs; (2) provide an alternative means of scientific and technological advancement during the troubled economic period following the Iran-Iraq War; (3) serve as a forum to disseminate revolutionary propaganda; and (4) aid in further legitimizing the Islamic regime's "authority in the face of internal strife over the definition of the revolutionary state." Despite early excitement by 1997, the threat of an open and free internet would be identified by conservative groups within the Islamic government, resulting in early attempts at censorship and restriction.

Iran underwent a significant increase in internet usage in the early 2000s. Many users saw the internet as an easy way to circumvent Iran's strict press laws.Feuilherade, P. (2002.) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/2183573.stm "Iran's banned press turns to the net"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614185333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/2183573.stm |date=2004-06-14 }}. BBC.com. Retrieved 9 December 2006.BBC News. (2003.) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3019695.stm "Iran Steps Up Net Censorship"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222181031/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3019695.stm |date=2007-02-22 }}. BBC.com. Retrieved 9 December 2006. As international internet usage grew, its censorship increased, and many popular websites were blocked,{{Cite news|title=What You Need to Know about Internet Censorship in Iran|url=https://www.cigionline.org/articles/what-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124164741/https://www.cigionline.org/articles/what-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran|archive-date=2020-11-24|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Centre for International Governance Innovation|date=9 January 2018|language=en|last1=MacLellan |first1=Stephanie }}{{Cite conference|last1=Aryan|first1=Simurgh|last2=Aryan|first2=Homa|last3=Halderman|first3=J. Alex|date=2013|title=Internet Censorship in Iran: A First Look|url=https://www.usenix.org/conference/foci13/workshop-program/presentation/aryan|url-status=live|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923203213/https://www.usenix.org/conference/foci13/workshop-program/presentation/aryan|archive-date=2020-09-23|access-date=2020-11-08}} especially after 2005 under the administration of conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-28 |title=Navigating Literary Censorship—and Worse—in Iran |url=https://lithub.com/navigating-literary-censorship-and-worse-in-iran/ |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=Literary Hub |language=en-US |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202121522/https://lithub.com/navigating-literary-censorship-and-worse-in-iran/ |url-status=live }}

In 2005–2018,{{Cite web|date=2020-05-11|title=خبرگزاری فارس - شبکه ملی اطلاعات و ضرورت ملی آن|url=https://www.farsnews.ir/news/13990221000239/%D8%B4%D8%A8%DA%A9%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D8%B6%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D9%86|access-date=2020-12-19|website=خبرگزاری فارس|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729070118/https://www.farsnews.ir/news/13990221000239/%D8%B4%D8%A8%DA%A9%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D8%B6%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D9%86|url-status=live}} Ayatollah Khamenei sent letters to the presidents of Iran, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, and the IRGC, ordering them to form a national intranet called the National Information Network.{{Cite web|date=2016-09-06|title=Iran's Leader urges confronting enemy schemes in cyberspace|url=https://en.isna.ir/news/95061610688/Iran-s-Leader-urges-confronting-enemy-schemes-in-cyberspace|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124171250/https://en.isna.ir/news/95061610688/Iran-s-Leader-urges-confronting-enemy-schemes-in-cyberspace|archive-date=2020-11-24|access-date=2020-08-31|website=ISNA|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-08-24|title=مطالبه رهبری درباره فضای مجازی روی زمین مانده است|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5007022/%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%81%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA|access-date=2020-12-19|website=خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency|language=fa|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824214059/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5007022/%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%81%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=2019-12-25|title=Iran curbs internet before possible new protests – reports|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-protests-internet-idINKBN1YT0GE|url-status=live|access-date=2020-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018144713/https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-protests-internet-idINKBN1YT0GE|archive-date=2020-10-18}}{{Cite web|title=Fiery Debate on Fate of Local Messengers, Iran's National Intranet|url=https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-technology-13/31249-fiery-debate-on-fate-of-local-messengers-iran-national-intranet|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125171636/https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-technology-13/31249-fiery-debate-on-fate-of-local-messengers-iran-national-intranet|archive-date=2020-11-25|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Eghtesad Online|date=18 December 2019 |language=en}} The National Information Network was unveiled during the 2019 Iranian protests.{{Cite web|title=Iran shuts down country's internet in the wake of fuel protests|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/17/iran-shuts-down-countrys-internet-in-the-wake-of-fuel-protests/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125171635/https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/17/iran-shuts-down-countrys-internet-in-the-wake-of-fuel-protests/|archive-date=2020-11-25|access-date=2019-11-24|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|last=Lunden|first=Ingrid|date=2019-11-17}} The NIN works in a way similar to the Great Firewall of China, but with more strict monitoring.{{Cite web|title=Iran To Work With China To Create National Internet System|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-china-national-internet-system-censorship/30820857.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930031242/https://www.rferl.org/amp/iran-china-national-internet-system-censorship/30820857.html|archive-date=2020-09-30|access-date=2020-09-30|website=www.rferl.org}}{{Cite web|date=2019-02-13|title=Ayatollah Khamenei Issues Statement on "2nd Phase of Revolution"|url=https://english.khabaronline.ir/news/189993/Ayatollah-Khamenei-Issues-Statement-on-2nd-Phase-of-Revolution|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215133158/https://english.khabaronline.ir/news/189993/Ayatollah-Khamenei-Issues-Statement-on-2nd-Phase-of-Revolution|archive-date=2019-02-15|access-date=2020-08-31|website=KhabarOnline|language=en}}

After YouTube was blocked in Iran,{{Cite news|title=What You Need to Know about Internet Censorship in Iran|url=https://www.cigionline.org/articles/what-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124164741/https://www.cigionline.org/articles/what-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran|archive-date=2020-11-24|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Centre for International Governance Innovation|date=9 January 2018|language=en|last1=MacLellan |first1=Stephanie }} Aparat, an Iranian online video-sharing platform, was founded. In 2020, due to the activity of an Aparat user, the CEO of Aparat was sentenced to 10 years in prison because of an interview with children about sex and pornography by Gelofen TV.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-25|title=مدیر آپارات و تهیه‌کنندگان گزارش ژلوفن ‌تی‌وی 'به ۱۰ سال زندان محکوم شدند'|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-54681419|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029192805/https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-54681419|archive-date=2020-10-29|access-date=2020-10-26|website=BBC News فارسی|language=fa}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-25|title=مدیرعامل آپارات به خاطر انتشار این ویدئو ۱۰ سال حبس گرفت|url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/560029/مدیرعامل-آپارات-به-خاطر-انتشار-این-ویدئو-۱۰-سال-حبس-گرفت|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029005856/https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/560029/%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A2%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A6%D9%88-%DB%B1%DB%B0-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AD%D8%A8%D8%B3-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA|archive-date=2020-10-29|access-date=2020-10-26|website=همشهری آنلاین|language=fa}} The business of selling virtual private networks (VPNs), SOCKS, and proxy servers in Iran is worth millions of dollars due to their large demand.{{Cite web|title=Jahromi Defends ICT Performance|url=https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-politics-3/30082-jahromi-defends-ict-performance|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027085240/https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-politics-3/30082-jahromi-defends-ict-performance|archive-date=2019-10-27|access-date=2019-10-27|website=Eghtesad Online|date=4 September 2019 |language=en}} The twelfth Minister of Information and Communications Technology in Iran announced that the lucrative business of selling VPNs and proxies has generated substantial profits for its manufacturers and retailers, and there are efforts to stop these businesses.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

In 2006 and 2010, the activist group Reporters Without Borders labeled Iran one of the 13 countries designated "Enemies of the Internet."Tait, R. (2006.) [https://www.theguardian.com/international/story/0,,1963099,00.html "Censorship fears rise as Iran blocks access to top websites"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125171635/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2006/dec/04/news.iran |date=2020-11-25 }}. The Guardian UK. Retrieved 9 December 2006. Reporters Without Borders sent a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, to share its deep concern and ask for her intervention in the case of two netizens and free speech defenders, Vahid Asghari and Hossein Derakhshan.

Following the 2009 election protests, Iran ratified the Computer Crimes Law (CCL) in 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/computer-crimes-act_html/Computer_Crimes_Act.pdf|title=Islamic Republic of Iran's Computer Crimes Act|date=2014|website=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes|access-date=2019-10-04|archive-date=2020-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510185839/https://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/computer-crimes-act_html/Computer_Crimes_Act.pdf|url-status=live}} The CCL established legal regulations for internet censorship. Notable provisions of the CCL include the following: Article 10, which effectively prohibits internet users and companies from using encryption or protecting data in a manner that would "deny access of authorized individuals to data, computer, and telecommunication systems"; Article 14, which criminalizes "producing, sending, publishing, distributing, saving or financially engaging in obscene content"; Article 21, which requires ISPs to maintain records of internet traffic data and the personal information of their Internet users; and Article 48, which requires Internet Service Providers to record data from telephone conversations over the internet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/2921/12-01-30-FINAL-iran-WEB%5B4%5D.pdf|title=ARTICLE19's Legal Analysis of Iran's Computer Crimes Law|date=2012|website=Article19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809220223/https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/2921/12-01-30-FINAL-iran-WEB%5B4%5D.pdf|archive-date=2019-08-09}}

In April 2011, Ali Agha-Mohammadi, a senior official, announced the government had plans to launch a halal internet that would conform to Islamic values and provide government-approved services. The $6 billion project had been initially proposed in 2006, and would result in the creation of the National Information Network (NIN) (Habake-ye Melli-ye Ettela'at).{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1107324.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329184312/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1107324.pdf |archive-date=29 March 2024 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=apps.dtic.mil |url-status=live }} The system would effectively completely disconnect the Iranian people from the outside world.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/05/iran-clamps-down-internet-use "Iran clamps down on Internet use"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028020652/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/05/iran-clamps-down-internet-use|date=2017-10-28}}, Saeed Kamali Dehghan, The Guardian, 5 January 2012 Such a network, similar to one used by North Korea, would prevent unwanted information from outside of Iran from entering the closed system.Christopher Rhoads and Farnaz Fassihi, 28 May 2011, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704889404576277391449002016 Iran Vows to Unplug Internet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519144428/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704889404576277391449002016 |date=2019-05-19 }}, Wall Street Journal The development of the closed system was hastened due to the Green Movement protests which began in June 2009 continuing into 2010,{{Cite web |date=2010-10-06 |title=The Green Movement |url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/green-movement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028102837/http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/green-movement |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2010 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=United States Institute of Peace |language=en}} as well as the discovery of the Stuxnet Virus in June 2010.{{Cite web |title=The Real Story of Stuxnet - IEEE Spectrum |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-real-story-of-stuxnet |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=spectrum.ieee.org |language=en}}

In 2012, Iran's ministry of information and communication technology began testing a countrywide "national internet" network as a substitute for services run through the World Wide Web. It also began working on software robots to analyze emails and chats and find more "effective ways of controlling user's online activities". One Iranian IT expert defended the program as aimed not "primarily" at curbing the global internet but at securing Iran's military, banking, and sensitive data from outside cyber-attacks such as Stuxnet. In addition, by late January 2012, internet café owners were required to record the identities of their customers before providing services. According to the news website Tabnak, an Iranian policy statement states:

Internet cafes are required to write down the forename, surname, name of the father, national identification number, postcode, and telephone number of each customer. Besides the personal information, they must maintain other information of the customer such as the date and the time of using the internet and the IP address, and the addresses of the websites visited. They should keep these informations for each individual for at least six months.

{{See also|Telegram in Iran}}

During the 2017–18 Iranian protests, the Iranian government blocked internet access from mobile networks and various websites, including Instagram and Telegram, in an effort to stymie protests. At some points, the government completely blocked internet access in Kurdish parts of the country.Ailsa Chang, [https://www.npr.org/2018/01/03/575252552/in-response-to-protests-iran-cuts-off-internet-access-blocks-apps In Response To Protests, Iran Cuts Off Internet Access, Blocks Apps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107030151/https://www.npr.org/2018/01/03/575252552/in-response-to-protests-iran-cuts-off-internet-access-blocks-apps |date=2018-01-07 }}, NPR, Morning Edition (3 January 2018).Laura Smith-Spark, [http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/05/middleeast/iran-protests-united-nations-intl/index.html UN experts urge Iran to respect rights of protesters, end Internet crackdown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105171308/http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/05/middleeast/iran-protests-united-nations-intl/index.html |date=2018-01-05 }}, CNN (5 January 2017). A January 2018 report by four special rapporteurs of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about the blocking, stating, "Communication blackouts constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights".

{{Main|2019 Internet blackout in Iran}}

During the nationwide 2019 fuel protests in Iran, the Iranian authorities deliberately shut down the internet, hiding the true scale of unlawful killings by security forces. As protests intensified, the Iranian authorities implemented a near-total internet blackout by ordering different internet service providers (ISPs) to shut down. IODA observed steady drops in signals, which started when cellular operators were ordered to disconnect around 2pm local time on 16 November. By 7pm, Iran had descended into digital darkness.

Iran's domestic internet remained online, allowing activities such as government services and banking to continue, which minimized financial losses in the country's economy. It was only around five days later, at approximately 10am on 21 November, that internet access began to be restored. It did not completely return until 27 November.

"The authorities deliberately blocked internet access inside Iran, hiding the true extent of the horrendous human rights violations that they were carrying out across the country" said Iranian expert Diana Eltahawy.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-16 |title=Iran: Internet deliberately shut down during November 2019 killings – new investigation |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2020/11/iran-internet-deliberately-shut-down-during-november-2019-killings-new-investigation/ |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=Amnesty International |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330173210/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2020/11/iran-internet-deliberately-shut-down-during-november-2019-killings-new-investigation/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|Mahsa Amini protests#Communications blackouts}}

{{expand section|date=November 2022}}

During Mahsa Amini protests, the government shutdown and slowed internet.{{Cite web |last1=Biddle |first1=Sam BiddleMurtaza HussainSam |last2=Hussain |date=28 October 2022 |first2=Murtaza |title=Hacked Documents: How Iran Can Track and Control Protesters' Phones |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/10/28/iran-protests-phone-surveillance/ |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=The Intercept |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102225052/https://theintercept.com/2022/10/28/iran-protests-phone-surveillance/ |url-status=live }} US government issued license D-2 sanctions relief for American internet companies to help Iranians. Earlier this year, the cyberspace protection act was run.{{Cite web|title=Iran tightens grip on internet freedom|date=2012-02-15|url=https://www.dw.com/en/iran-tightens-grip-on-internet-freedom/a-60784015|access-date=2022-11-04|website=dw.com|language=en|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325045229/https://www.dw.com/en/iran-tightens-grip-on-internet-freedom/a-60784015|url-status=live}} Restrictions were put in place for LTE networks such as Irancell, Hamrahe-Aval And Rightel completely blocking access to all website excluding those hosted in Iran.{{Cite web |url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0974 |title=U.S. Treasury Issues Iran General License D-2 to Increase Support for Internet Freedom |access-date=29 October 2022 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104082451/https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0974 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/story/iran-mahsa-amini-internet-shutdown/ | title=Iran's Internet Blackouts Are Part of a Global Menace | magazine=Wired | last1=Green | first1=Yasmin | access-date=29 October 2022 | archive-date=3 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103115325/https://www.wired.com/story/iran-mahsa-amini-internet-shutdown/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-condemns-iran-s-restrictions-on-internet-access/6799228.html | title=US Condemns Iran's Restrictions on Internet Access | date=20 October 2022 | access-date=29 October 2022 | archive-date=1 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101171946/https://www.voanews.com/a/us-condemns-iran-s-restrictions-on-internet-access/6799228.html | url-status=live }}

On 4 December, a news article was published in the media quoting Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of Interior of the 13th government, citing a "complete filtering of cyberspace" and it was denied a few hours later. On 18 December, Mohsen Taeb, the former head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, said, "[t]here will come a day on the platforms where we will determine whose photo will be published and who will not." In the last 3 months, the Ministry of Communications of the Ebrahim Raisi government has made contradictory statements on this matter.

This time, the international community has decided to fight back, with many countries severing economic and diplomatic relations with Iran after these censorships.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

"The country’s cyber governance has been compromised by such an action  It is possible that the international court will issue a verdict that will hit Iran’s cyber governance the most. Also, financial fines are probable for the infrastructure communication company." Said Sharareh Abdolhoseinzadeh, a PhD in Political Sociology.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-24 |title=International Consequences of Internet Restrictions in Iran |url=https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2022/12/sharareh-abdolhoseinzadeh-iran-internet-censorship/ |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=www.jurist.org |language=en-US |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127221235/https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2022/12/sharareh-abdolhoseinzadeh-iran-internet-censorship/ |url-status=live }}

In January, the Ministry of ICT opened the radar.game software and a DNS for games.{{Citation |last=RadarGame |title=RadarGame/windows_RadarPlus |date=2023-01-20 |url=https://github.com/RadarGame/windows_RadarPlus |access-date=2023-01-20 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120121604/https://github.com/RadarGame/windows_RadarPlus |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://radar.game/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=radar.game |title=Archived copy |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120121606/https://radar.game/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=سایت و اپلیکیشن رادار بازی راه اندازی شد |url=https://dolat.ir/detail/403810 |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=dolat.ir |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120121748/https://dolat.ir/detail/403810 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-18 |title=سامانه "رادار گیم"برای افزایش سرعت بازی‌ها آغاز به کار کرد |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5685751/%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%AF%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A2%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency |language=fa |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120122244/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5685751/%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%AF%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A2%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF |url-status=live }} The Minister of ICT created 403.online, a DNS and VPN for Iranians bypassing the HTTP 403 code.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=راه‌اندازی سرویس رفع تحریم ۴۰۳ |url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1729056/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%85-%DB%B4%DB%B0%DB%B3 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=خبرآنلاین |language=fa |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211135716/https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1729056/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%85-%DB%B4%DB%B0%DB%B3 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://anti403.ir/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=anti403.ir |title=Archived copy |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211135940/https://anti403.ir/ |url-status=live }}

TLD generic names ending with .online are blocked.{{cite web | url=http://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1665942/فیلترینگ-جدید-و-عجیب-ایرانسل-و-همراه-اول | title=فیلترینگ جدید و عجیب ایرانسل و همراه اول! | date=25 August 2022 }}

On 19 February, Iranians began blocking Cloudflare with a massive share of 70% Iranian traffic cut off from the Internet.{{Cite web |url=https://digiato.com/article/2023/02/19/iran-interference-cloudflare-increased |title=اختلال‌ در کلودفلر به‌معنای زلزله در ارتباطات ایران است |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219163758/https://digiato.com/article/2023/02/19/iran-interference-cloudflare-increased |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://digiato.com/article/2023/02/19/investigating-effects-cloudflare-disorder-iran |title=واکاوی چرایی و تبعات اختلال در کلودفلر: می‌خواهم به اینترنت متصل بمانم! |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219164033/https://digiato.com/article/2023/02/19/investigating-effects-cloudflare-disorder-iran |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=هشدار مقام سازمان نظام صنفی رایانه ای درباره فیلتر شکن ها/ با اختلال عامدانه در اینترنت کشور روبه‌رو هستیم |url=https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/3968628-%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=روزنامه دنیای اقتصاد |language=fa |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526111709/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/3968628-%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=وزیر ارتباطات: اختلال در اینترنت به‌دلیل استفاده از فیلترشکن و حملات سایبری است |url=https://digiato.com/article/2022/12/24/internet-disturbance-filter |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=دیجیاتو |language=fa-IR |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129182856/https://digiato.com/article/2022/12/24/internet-disturbance-filter |url-status=live }} The median internet speed became worse as of May 2023 according to Speed test, as the government began limited fiber optically connected internet rollout.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fa/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/20230517-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87-%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%9B-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%AA-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA |title=اجرای فاز اول پروژه فیبر نوری در ایران؛ اتصال محدود به اینترنت پرسرعت زیر سایه حکومت |date=17 May 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519210158/https://www.rfi.fr/fa/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/20230517-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87-%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%9B-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%AA-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://peivast.com/p/164307|title=گزارش ماه آوریل اسپیدتست سرعت اینترنت در ایران: همان همیشگی|first=علی|last=مومنی|date=20 May 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://digiato.com/article/2023/05/20/iran-fixed-mobile-internet-speed-april-2023|title=گزارش جدید Speedtest از کاهش سرعت اینترنت موبایل در ایران خبر می‌دهد|website=دیجیاتو}}{{cite web | url=https://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/726849/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA-%DB%B7-%D9%BE%D9%84%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86 | title=افت ۷ پله‌ای اینترنت سیار در تهران }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1768214/سرعت-اینترنت-در-ایران-بازهم-کاهش-یافت-عکس|title=سرعت اینترنت در ایران بازهم کاهش یافت/ عکس|date=20 May 2023|website=خبرآنلاین}}{{Cite web |url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/sci-tech/117560/iran-s-fixed-mobile-internet-speeds-deteriorate-in-february |title=Iran's Fixed, Mobile Internet Speeds Deteriorate in February | Financial Tribune |date=4 April 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519053251/https://www.financialtribune.com/articles/sci-tech/117560/iran-s-fixed-mobile-internet-speeds-deteriorate-in-february |url-status=live }} The Iranian cyber police began purging social media and websites,{{Cite web |url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1736687/%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DB%B5%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D8%B0%D9%81-%D8%B4%D8%AF |title=بیش از ۵هزار محتوای مجرمانه از فضای مجازی حذف شد - خبرآنلاین |date=27 February 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228075140/https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1736687/%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DB%B5%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D8%B0%D9%81-%D8%B4%D8%AF |url-status=live }} while the Minister of Science Research, Technology and ICT discussed cutting the internet for university entry exam tests.{{Cite web |title=نظر-وزرای-علوم-و-ارتباطات-درباره-قطعی-اینترنت-در-روز-کنکور |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85127776/%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%B1 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.irna.ir |date=31 May 2023 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601111955/https://www.irna.ir/news/85127776/%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%B1 |url-status=live }}

According to the Parliament research group head, VPN sales were highly profitable, estimated to be whopping 50,000 billion Toman (about US$1.01 billion) annually which is then taxed by Iranian government.{{Cite web |title=نماینده تبریز از گسترش تجارت فیلترشکن در ایران انتقاد کرد {{!}} TRT Persian |url=https://www.trt.net.tr/persian/yrn/2023/06/08/nmyndh-tbryz-z-gstrsh-tjrt-fyltrshkhn-dr-yrn-ntqd-khrd-1996963 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.trt.net.tr |language=fa-IR}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=بازار ۴۰ تا ۵۰ هزار میلیارد تومانی فیلترشکن در ایران |url=https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-19/3971346-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=روزنامه دنیای اقتصاد |language=fa |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529142347/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-19/3971346-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=تراکنش 500 میلیارد تومانی از فیلترشکن‌ها |url=https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/3968843-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%B4-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=روزنامه دنیای اقتصاد |language=fa |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526170542/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/3968843-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%B4-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=نماینده مجلس: تنها دستاورد فیلترینگ ایجاد بازار پررونق خرید و فروش فیلترشکن است |url=https://www.sharghdaily.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-6/879671-%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%82-%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=شرق |language=fa |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513174817/https://www.sharghdaily.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-6/879671-%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%82-%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=عباسی |title=گردش مالی عظیم 50 همتی فروش فیلترشکن بیانگر چیست؟ {{!}} خبرگزاری بین المللی شفقنا |date=29 May 2023 |url=https://fa.shafaqna.com/news/1582691/%da%af%d8%b1%d8%af%d8%b4-%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%8a-%d8%b9%d8%b8%d9%8a%d9%85-50-%d9%87%d9%85%d8%aa%d9%8a-%d9%81%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b4-%d9%81%d9%8a%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%b4%d9%83%d9%86-%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a7/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |language=fa-IR}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=نماینده اراک: وزیر ارتباطات اطلاع دارد چه کسانی فیلترشکن می‌فروشند و وابسته به کجا هستند؟ |url=https://www.iranintl.com/202305098377 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=ایران اینترنشنال |language=fa |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510085703/https://www.iranintl.com/202305098377 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-14 |title=فیلترینگ، جهنم برای مردم، بهشت فروشندگان فیلترشکن؛ ۵۰۰ میلیارد تومان سود ماهیانه |url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/internet-filtering-hell-for-people-heaven-for-filter-sellers-500-billion-tomans-monthly-profit/7092194.html |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=صدای آمریکا |language=fa |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602153752/https://ir.voanews.com/a/internet-filtering-hell-for-people-heaven-for-filter-sellers-500-billion-tomans-monthly-profit/7092194.html |url-status=live }} It was noted by the newspaper Ham-Mihan that while prices stayed the same, data bandwidth was now more expensive.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=سوق دادن مردم به استفاده از فیلترشکن یعنی تشویق به مهاجرت اینترنتی |url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1764718/%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%82-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%DB%8C%D8%B9%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%82-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA%DB%8C |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=خبرآنلاین |language=fa |archive-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519044302/https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1764718/%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%82-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%DB%8C%D8%B9%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%82-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA%DB%8C |url-status=live }} A seventh five-year plan increased internet tariffs, making the national information network far cheaper.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1769433/%D8%B4%D9%88%DA%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D9%87%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA|title=شوک برنامه هفتم به اینترنت مردم/ سناریوی تعرفه گذاری برای اینترنت خارجی چیست؟|date=24 May 2023|website=خبرآنلاین|access-date=11 June 2023|archive-date=11 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611105521/https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1769433/%D8%B4%D9%88%DA%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D9%87%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA|url-status=live}}

The Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism had claimed that the internet would be restored once the upheaval is gone.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-10 |title=عزت‌الله ضرغامی: اگر از شرایط امنیتی عبور کنیم، اینترنت پرسرعت در اختیار مردم می‌گذاریم |url=https://www.iranintl.com/202210026774 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=ایران اینترنشنال |language=fa |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203221720/https://www.iranintl.com/202210026774 |url-status=live }} However, according to the newspaper Resalat, as of June 2023, a branch of Islamic Republic military are pro-denial of free internet access and are actively working towards it, even obstructing others efforts to achieve it.{{Cite web|url=https://techrato.com/2023/06/12/supporters-internet-filtering-restrictions-iran/|title=یک جریان امنیتی نظامی حامی فیلترینگ و مانع از رفع آن است! - تکراتو|date=22 March 1402}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-08 |title=دست بسته دولت در مدیریت اینترنت |url=https://resalat-news.com/%d8%af%d8%b3%d8%aa-%d8%a8%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%87-%d8%af%d9%88%d9%84%d8%aa-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d9%85%d8%af%db%8c%d8%b1%db%8c%d8%aa-%d8%a7%db%8c%d9%86%d8%aa%d8%b1%d9%86%d8%aa/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=روزنامه رسالت |language=fa-IR |archive-date=11 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611111810/https://resalat-news.com/%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA/ |url-status=live }} In June 2023, a member of parliament claimed that the Cyberspace protection bill is now in full effect, while according to another, it is abandoned and irrelevant.{{Cite web |last=Behnegarsoft.com |date=2023-06-06 |title=ايتنا - وزارت ارتباطات طرح صیانت را اجرا کرد |url=https://www.itna.ir/news/73204/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%B5%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=ايتنا - سایت خبری تحلیلی فناوری اطلاعات و ارتباطات |language=fa |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607174206/https://www.itna.ir/news/73204/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%B5%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=تاکید نماینده مجلس بر پیروی از سبک اینترنت داخلی چین ؛ طرح صیانت دیگر بی‌معناست! - تکراتو |url=https://techrato.com/2023/06/06/following-style-chinas-domestic-internet-iran/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=تکراتو - زندگی با تکنولوژی |language=en |archive-date=11 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611195206/https://techrato.com/2023/06/06/following-style-chinas-domestic-internet-iran/ |url-status=live }}

The Minister of ICT denied reduced internet speed, claiming that Iran has three times its need.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-28 |title=وزیر ارتباطات: ما سه برابر نیاز کشور اینترنت تامین کرده‌ایم |url=https://www.iranintl.com/202306259684 |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=ایران اینترنشنال |language=fa}} On 27 June, the Supreme Council of Cyberspace began a workgroup in association with Ministry of ICT for slow internet to report by one month.{{Cite web |title=دستور رئیس‌جمهور برای تشکیل کارگروه رفع گلایه‌های مردمی درباره کندی اینترنت - ایرنا |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85153597/%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%84-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%DA%AF%D9%84%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87 |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=www.irna.ir|date=27 June 2023 }} The Supreme leader asked judicial system power to begin a program combat "those who are annoying in cyber and real life".{{Cite news |last=فردا |first=رادیو |date=2023-06-27 |title=نامه "خیلی محرمانه" فرمانده سپاه به ابراهیم رئیسی: اینترنت و شبکه‌های اجتماعی را ببندید |language=fa |work=رادیو فردا |url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/hossein-salami-letter-raisi-ban-internet-social-media/32478206.html |access-date=2023-06-28}}

In August, a cyberspace services system bill commission member claimed the government had decided to lower internet access, make it unaffordable, and reduce speed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iranintl.com/202308127229|title=عضو کمیسیون طرح صیانت: تصمیم‌گیران نمی‌خواهند اینترنت آزاد و سریع در دسترس مردم باشد|date=28 August 2023|website=ایران اینترنشنال}}

In February 2024, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered the Supreme Council of CyberSpace to ban Internet censorship circumvention technology such as virtual private networks (VPNs).{{cite web | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-announce-vpn-illegal-internet-khamenei/32827817.html | title=استفاده از فیلترشکن در ایران پس از تأیید رهبر جمهوری اسلامی به‌طور رسمی ممنوع شد }}

In late May 2024, Cloudflare showed that regime had begun blocking IPv6.{{Cite web |title=آیا اختلال روی پروتکل IPv6 برای کنترل فیلترینگ در کشور است؟ |trans-title=Is there a disruption in the IPv6 protocol to control filtering in the country? |url=https://www.sharghdaily.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D9%81%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-298/931825-%D8%A2%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA%DA%A9%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%84-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |access-date=19 October 2024 |language=Persian}}{{cite web | url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1911012/اختلال-روی-پروتکل-اینترنت-نسخه-۶-صدای-کارشناسان-را-درآورد/ | title=اختلال گسترده روی اینترنت IPv6 / پای فیلترینگ جدید در میان است؟ - خبرآنلاین }}

The government's censorship techniques has led to internet in Iran being among the worst worldwide, according to a report by the Tehran Electronic Commerce Association (TECA). The report noted the effect of new filtering equipment within the domestic network, which causes functional disruptions and processor saturation.{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Chiara Castro last |date=2024-01-18 |title=The internet in Iran among the worst worldwide for connectivity |url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/cyber-security/the-internet-in-iran-among-the-worst-worldwide |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}

Iranian government had released another law in 2024 that allow censored apps to be accessible through government enabled client side forks.{{cite web | url=https://digiato.com/tech/external-platform-dotic-full-of-audience | title=مصوبه شورای عالی فضای مجازی: دسترسی به سکوهای خارجی در قالب "پوسته" امکان‌پذیر می‌شود }}

Minister of communications offered selling class "professional" based internet access to startups and corporations with less restrictions.{{Cite web |url=https://peivast.com/p/162974 |title=معاون علمی رئیس‌جمهوری: نگویید اینترنت طبقاتی؛ بگویید اینترنت حرفه‌ای - پیوست |date=6 May 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508225613/https://peivast.com/p/162974 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1402021710732/%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%B6-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C |title=تبعیض دیجیتالی - ایسنا |date=7 May 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518011503/https://www.isna.ir/news/1402021710732/%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%B6-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/758639/تدارک-اینترنت-حرفه-ای-برای-کسب-وکارهای-نوپا|title=تدارک "اینترنت حرفه‌ای" برای کسب‌وکارهای نوپا|date=7 May 2023|website=www.hamshahrionline.ir}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1763764/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C |title=اینترنت حرفه‌ای به جای اینترنت طبقاتی! - خبرآنلاین |date=8 May 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518054827/https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1763764/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://sakhtafzarmag.com/%D8%AA%D8%A7%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A2%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C/ |title=فیروزآبادی: نگویید اینترنت طبقاتی؛ بگویید اینترنت حرفه‌ای! - سخت افزار مگ |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516044831/https://sakhtafzarmag.com/%D8%AA%D8%A7%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A2%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C/ |url-status=live }} IRNA defended the internet closed access.{{Cite web |title=اما-و-اگرهای-اینترنت-طبقاتی |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85109750/%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%88-%D8%A7%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.irna.ir |date=23 May 2023 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524070150/https://www.irna.ir/news/85109750/%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%88-%D8%A7%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C |url-status=live }}

The Iranian state spokesman compared the internet to arms control, while the Minister of Science Research and Technology promoted the mass censorship program as an "open internet for academics".{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=اینترنت طبقاتی |url=https://www.sharghdaily.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D9%81%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-298/871699-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=شرق |language=fa |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320021327/https://www.sharghdaily.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D9%81%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-298/871699-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=قطار اینترنت طبقاتی در ایستگاه دانشگاه |url=https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-19/3972693-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=روزنامه دنیای اقتصاد |language=fa |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603053832/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-19/3972693-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=عملیاتی شدن اینترنت طبقاتی؛ وزیر علوم از ارائه "اینترنت باز" به استادان دانشگاه‌ها خبر داد |url=https://www.iranintl.com/202306010930 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=ایران اینترنشنال |language=fa |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603165004/https://www.iranintl.com/202306010930 |url-status=live }} The Minister of ICT also promised journalists that they would be granted internet access.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=گسترش دامنه و وسعت تبعیض در ایران؛ اینترنت طبقاتی می‌شود |url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-internet-filtering/7117714.html |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=صدای آمریکا |language=fa |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604041609/https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-internet-filtering/7117714.html |url-status=live }}

On 11 June 2023, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage demanded that foreign tourists should be allowed unfiltered internet access whilst visiting Iran, via 'tourist' SIM cards.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-11 |title=عزت‌الله ضرغامی، وزیر گردشگری: اینترنت بدون فیلتر برای گردشگران خارجی در حال پیگیری است |url=https://www.iranintl.com/202306102411 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=ایران اینترنشنال |language=fa |archive-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610225338/https://www.iranintl.com/202306102411 |url-status=live }} This plan was subsequently approved by the Iranian government in September 2023.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-05 |title=Iran Approves Full Internet Access SIM Cards For Foreign Tourists |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309248402 |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Iran International |language=en}}

On 15 June 2023, the Minister of Communications denied copying Chinese internet rules.{{Cite web |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85139587/%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B9-%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%84-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.irna.ir|title=زارع‌پور: ایران مدل توسعه اینترنت خود را دارد - ایرنا|date=13 June 2023 }}

In August 2023, the number of anonymous internet users in Iran rose.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-26 |title=حامد بیدی، کنشگر اینترنت آزاد: افزایش سهم پهنای باند ناشناس، دالی بر شکست فیلترینگ است/ گزارش کمیسیون صنایع همه شمول نیست، دربرابر خسارات ناشی از فیلترینگ بر کسب و کارهای خرد سکوت کرده /جایگزینی پلتفرم‌های بومی به جای خارجی، آرزوی حقیقی وزیر ارتباطات است |url=https://www.didbaniran.ir/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-4/162606-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%BE%D9%87%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4-%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B5%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D9%87%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%A8-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%B3%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%B2%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D8%B1%D8%B2%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%82%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=دیدبان ایران |language=fa}}

The Minister of ICT claimed he was dissatisfied with the restrictions placed on speed, quality and the filtering of websites, proposing to whitelist some websites.{{Cite web|url=https://www.etemadonline.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-9/628703-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA|title=ببینید | وقتی هم خودشان فیلتر می‌کنند و هم از وضعیت اینترنت راضی نیستند!|date=28 August 2023|website=اعتمادآنلاین}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.etemadonline.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-9/628790-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA|title=وزیری که آرزوی رفع فیلترینگ دارد؛ این اتفاقات نادر فقط مختص ایران است!|date=28 August 2023|website=اعتمادآنلاین}} A member of the Islamic Council's supervisory committee, part of a working group tasked with identifying instances of criminal online content, responded by nothing fluctuations in website accessibility, mentioning that some sites were intermittently blocked or unfiltered based on the government's preferences. The Minister of Communications indicated a willingness to address these issues by considering selective removal of filters in certain contexts. Additionally, it was noted that various filtered websites remained accessible to specific groups such as students, university professors, and professionals in need of them for government-approved purposes.{{Cite web |date=28 August 2023 |title=جزئیاتی از آخرین شرایط فیلترینگ در کشور؛ پایان محدودیت‌ها نزدیک است؟ |url=https://www.etemadonline.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%87-64/629453-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%AF%D9%87%D9%85 |website=اعتمادآنلاین}}

A member of the Islamic Council's supervisory committee in the working group to determine examples of criminal computer content stated that some websites at some times were blocked and unfiltered according to requirements and that the opinion of the Minister of Communications was that action would be taken to remove the filter in some places. In addition, many sites that are normally filtered are available for classes, university professors, businessmen and all those who need it professionally.

In December 2022, the government unveiled plans to implement a program initially targeting students at the Sharif University of Technology, known as Goshayesh ("Opening"). Under this initiative, the Iranian government would allocate internet access levels to individuals, based on their social class. This would grant varying degrees of access to selected internet domains.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/articles/cekvyxjmnrjo | title="گشایش"، طرح اینترنت طبقاتی دانشگاه شریف | date=6 December 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.independentpersian.com/node/289761 | title=اینترنت طبقاتی؛ سهمیه‌بندی حکومت برای شهروندان | date=10 December 2022 }}

In July 2023, The Minister of ICT claimed they sued Starlink that them with help from ITU Article 18 Radio Regulation board and WRC article 23 compelled Starlink to cut access in Iran.{{Cite web|url=https://www.borna.news/بخش-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85%DB%8C-%D9%81%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-56/1496537-%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%A9-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%88%D9%82%DB%8C-%D9%BE%DB%8C%DA%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF|title=وزیر ارتباطات: استارلینک ملزم به رعایت قوانین سرزمینی ایران شده است / تخلفات احتمالی با ساز و کارهای حقوقی پیگیری می‌شود|date=6 August 2023|website=خبرگزاری برنا}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.fardanews.com/بخش-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF-23/1232267-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%B7-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF|title=شرط مهم وزیر برای ورود اینترنت ماهواره ای | استارلینگ در روستاها فعال می شود؟|date=6 August 2023|website=پایگاه خبری تحلیلی فردا | Farda News}}{{cite web|title=رایزنی وزارت ارتباطات برای فعالیت قانونی اینترنت ماهواره‌ای استارلینک در ایران| website=irna.ir | url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85162128/رایزنی-وزارت-ارتباطات-برای-فعالیت-قانونی-اینترنت-ماهواره-ای-استارلینک/|language=fa | access-date=12 August 2023}}{{cite web | url=https://www.jamaran.news/بخش-%D8%AC%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3-70/1600122-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%A9-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%A9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%85%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%DA%86%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF | title=اینترنت ماهواره ای استارلینک در ایران به‌کلی ممنوع شد؟ نظر اتحادیه بین‌المللی مخابرات چه معنایی دارد؟ | date=9 July 2023 }}

The seventh development program ordered the government to incorporate a new department into Minister of ICT, called the Dept. Security, integration, innovation.{{cite web | url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5921188/سازمان-نوآوری-هوشمندسازی-و-امنیت-تشکیل-می-شود/ | title=سازمان "نوآوری، هوشمندسازی و امنیت" تشکیل می‌شود - خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency }}

The Iranian government began training 500,000 personnel for cyberspace and video content. They claim that the operation of their program will have a positive economic impact.{{cite web | url=https://www.fardayeeghtesad.com/news/31420/%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%DB%B5%DB%B0%DB%B0-%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85 | title=دولت ۵۰۰ هزار نیرو برای فضای مجازی تربیت می‌کند + فیلم | date=24 October 2023 }}

Iran's SmartFilter blocks access to most pornography, gay and lesbian sites, political sites, news media, and software privacy tools. Iran has been accused of censoring more internet traffic than any other nation besides China. As of 2006, Iran's SmartFilter is configured to allow local Persian-language sites, and block prominent English-language sites, such as the BBC and Facebook.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2006/dec/04/news.iran | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Robert | last=Tait | title=Censorship fears rise as Iran blocks access to top websites | date=5 December 2006 | access-date=14 December 2016 | archive-date=20 April 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420230728/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2006/dec/04/news.iran | url-status=live }} By 2008, Iran had blocked access to more than five million websites, whose content was deemed as immoral and anti-social.{{Cite web |date=2008-11-19 |title=Over five million Web sites blocked in Iran |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20081119-5-million-web-sites-blocked-iran-internet-facebook-youtube-censorship |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114141844/https://www.france24.com/en/20081119-5-million-web-sites-blocked-iran-internet-facebook-youtube-censorship |url-status=live }}

Below is an estimated list of well-known websites blocked by Iran:{{Cite web|date=2019-11-05|title=Internet censorship in Iran|url=https://www.ifmat.org/11/05/internet-censorship-in-iran/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=IFMAT|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117014800/https://www.ifmat.org/11/05/internet-censorship-in-iran/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Iran lifts block on popular messaging app as protests wane {{!}} CBC News|language=en-US|work=CBC|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iran-telegram-block-lifted-1.4486640|access-date=2020-11-14|archive-date=2018-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114074718/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iran-telegram-block-lifted-1.4486640|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Iranians stay connected on social media despite regime restrictions|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/tech-savvy-iranians-stay-connected-social-media-despite-regime-restrictions-n1044016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030020058/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/tech-savvy-iranians-stay-connected-social-media-despite-regime-restrictions-n1044016|archive-date=2020-10-30|access-date=2020-10-30|website=NBC News|date=21 August 2019 |language=en}}

• File hosting:
• Videos: YouTube, Twitch, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Nico Video, Newgrounds
• Images: Flickr, Pinterest, DeviantArt, Shutterstock, Dreamstime, 9gag
• Software: ApkPure, Uptodown
• Torrent indexing: The Pirate Bay
• Social media: Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, Threads, Instagram
• News: Deutsche Welle, BBC, NDTV, CNN
• Messaging: Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Signal, Discord
• Music: YouTube Music
• Entertainment: Netflix, Zhanqi
• Sexual content (porn): all pornography sites

It is speculated that 90% of Iranians remain on social media despite government restrictions.{{Cite web|last=Azali|first=Mohammad Reza|date=2017-08-27|title=All You Need to Know About Internet Censorship in Iran|url=http://techrasa.com/2017/08/27/all-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103170049/http://techrasa.com/2017/08/27/all-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran/|archive-date=2019-11-03|access-date=2020-09-06|website=TechRasa|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Iran steps up Internet censorship as Khamenei declares war on Telegram|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/iran-steps-internet-censorship-khamenei-declares-war-telegram|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124173544/https://www.mei.edu/publications/iran-steps-internet-censorship-khamenei-declares-war-telegram|archive-date=2020-11-24|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Middle East Institute|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Jafari|first=Hamed|date=2016-08-29|title=Iran Initiates the First Phase of the National Information Network|url=http://techrasa.com/2016/08/29/iran-initiates-first-phase-national-information-network/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908182548/http://techrasa.com/2016/08/29/iran-initiates-first-phase-national-information-network/|archive-date=2017-09-08|access-date=2020-09-06|website=TechRasa|language=en-US}}

During the Mahsa Amini protests internet blackout, approximately 80% of all popular websites were promptly blocked, including Instagram, WhatsApp, Apple's App Store, Google's Play Store. This came in addition to total internet blackouts across the country for hours per day.{{Cite web |last=Zad |first=Arash |date=2022-09-29 |title=When Will Iran's Internet Censorship Collapse? |url=https://slate.com/technology/2022/09/iran-protests-mahsa-amini-internet-censorship.html |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005185455/https://slate.com/technology/2022/09/iran-protests-mahsa-amini-internet-censorship.html |url-status=live }}

The primary engine of Iran's censorship is the content-control software SmartFilter, developed by San Jose firm Secure Computing.OpenNet Initiative (2006). [http://www.opennetinitiative.net/studies/iran/ "Internet Filtering in Iran in 2004–2005: A Country Study"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108054914/http://www.opennetinitiative.net/studies/iran/ |date=2009-01-08 }}. Retrieved 9 December 2006. The American company alleges that Iran did not purchase the software legally.Knight, W. (2005.) [https://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7589 "Iranian net censorship powered by US technology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315222128/http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7589 |date=2008-03-15 }}. The New Scientist. Retrieved 9 December 2006. Iran has since developed its own hardware and software to filter the internet.{{cite web|url=http://opennet.net/research/profiles/iran|title=Iran|access-date=25 August 2015|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926051715/https://opennet.net/research/profiles/iran|url-status=live}} All internet traffic is routed through the state-controlled telecommunications infrastructure of the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), which implements additional surveillance measures.

Dozens of internet service providers (ISPs) operate in Iran. All of them must implement content-control software for websites and e-mail, with strict penalties for failure to comply. As of 2008, at least twelve ISPs have been shut down for failing to install adequate filters. An ISP must be approved by both the TCI and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance before it can operate.Reporters Without Borders. [http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10733 "Report on Iran"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224063811/http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10733 |date=24 February 2008 }}. Retrieved 9 December 2006. ISP must store all data sent or received by a user for at least three months, and must store data within Iran's borders.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-30 |title=Messaging Apps Must Store Data Within Iran's Borders |url=https://www.eteknix.com/messaging-apps-must-store-data-within-irans-borders/ |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=eTeknix |language=en-GB |archive-date=4 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104082450/https://www.eteknix.com/messaging-apps-must-store-data-within-irans-borders/ |url-status=live }}

Iran uses the lawful intercept capabilities of telecommunications systems to monitor communications by political dissidents and other individuals. A monitoring center installed by Nokia Siemens Networks (now Nokia Networks) intercepts and archives internet communications for Iranian law enforcement officials. Online social networks, especially Facebook, are also monitored. Citizens returning home from living abroad have been questioned and detained due to the contents of their personal Facebook web pages. After protests outside Iran following the 2009 elections, such social media monitoring increased.{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125978649644673331 | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Farnaz | last=Fassihi | title=Iranian Crackdown Goes Global | date=3 December 2009 | access-date=8 August 2017 | archive-date=15 July 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715183106/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125978649644673331 | url-status=live }}

Iran throttles the speed of the internet to frustrate users and limit communication. Mass-scale throttling has been observed following the 2009 Iranian presidential election, the weeks leading to the 2013 election, and during times of international political upheaval.{{cite web|url=http://shaheedoniran.org/english/blog/layers-of-internet-censorship-in-iran/|title=Layers of Internet Censorship in Iran|last=Shaheed|first=Ahmed|author-link=Ahmed Shaheed|date=2014-05-07|publisher=United Nations Special Rapporteur|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=2014-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514172706/http://shaheedoniran.org/english/blog/layers-of-internet-censorship-in-iran/|url-status=live}} In October 2006, the government ordered all ISPs to limit their download speeds to 128 kbit/s for residential clients and internet cafes; no reason was publicly announced. The purpose, as widely believed according to Reuters, was to constrain the consumption of Western mass media.Reuters. (2006.) [http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2006-10-18T143910Z_01_BLA852298_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAN-INTERNET.xml&WTmodLoc=InternetNewsHome_C2_internetNews-1 "Iran cuts Internet speeds to homes, cafes"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714033620/http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=internetNews |date=2007-07-14 }}. Reuters.com. As of 2010, ISPs in Tehran may offer a higher speed of at least two Mbit/s businesses, while the residential speed limit remains.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sabanet.ir/service_price.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407053959/http://www.sabanet.ir/service_price.htm|url-status=dead|title=تعرفه صبانت برای اینترنت محدود|archive-date=7 April 2010}} Since then, speed restrictions have been relaxed.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Deep packet inspection (DPI) is a technology that analyzes the contents of transmissions, even if they have been encrypted. Iran may use it to detect connections to TLS-based VPNs and use TCP reset attacks to interfere with them.{{cite web|url=https://gitlab.com/openconnect/openconnect/-/issues/50|title=my ISP is injecting RST packets during a TLS handshake|date=7 June 2019|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125171629/https://gitlab.com/openconnect/openconnect/-/issues/50|url-status=live}} In 2009, the Wall Street Journal reported that Nokia may have sold DPI software to Iran for monitoring and altering the content of internet voice and e-mail communications.[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124562668777335653 "Iran's Web Spying Aided By Western Technology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824090058/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124562668777335653 |date=2017-08-24 }} by Christopher Rhoads in New York and Loretta Chao in Beijing, The Wall Street Journal, 23 June 2009. Retrieved 6/23/09. Andrew Lighten, an employee of Nokia, claimed that it sold software to Iran for lawful interception, but that the company does not sell any products with deep packet inspection.{{cite web|url=http://andrewlighten.com/2009/06/23/what-i-do-for-a-job/|title=Andrew Lighten June 23, 2009, "What I do for a job"|access-date=25 August 2015|archive-date=11 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111171300/http://andrewlighten.com/2009/06/23/what-i-do-for-a-job/|url-status=live}}

In September 2020, Abolhassan Firoozabadi, director of the National Cyberspace Center of Iran, described China as a successful "model" in censoring the internet. He added that censorship applies where "the operating system does not comply with Iranian law" or "create[s] cultural, social, political and security problems" for the government.{{cite news |title=وزیر ارتباطات ایران از ورود نیروهای مسلح به "توسعه" پیام‌رسان‌ها خبر داد |url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-military-influence-internet-apps/30825084.html |agency=radiofarda |date=2020-09-07 |access-date=2020-09-17 |archive-date=2020-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907233224/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-military-influence-internet-apps/30825084.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=فیروزآبادی در مورد شبکه‌های اجتماعی: اگر مسئله ایجاد کنند فیلتر خواهند شد |url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-filtering-social-media/30823481.html |agency=radiofarda |date=2020-09-06 |access-date=2020-09-17 |archive-date=2020-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907121140/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-filtering-social-media/30823481.html |url-status=live }}

There is also state awareness that domestically produced content considered undesirable can pervade the internet, highlighted by the 2006 controversy over the appearance of a celebrity sex tape featuring a popular Iranian soap opera actress (or a convincing look-alike). (See the Iranian sex tape scandal)

{{expand section|date=September 2021}}

Lily Mazahery, a human rights and immigration lawyer who represents Iranian dissidents, reported that one of her clients was arrested after instant messaging with her. Ms. Mazahery said: "He told me he had received a call from the Ministry of Intelligence, and this guy when he went to the interrogation, they put in front of him printed copies of his chats with me. He said he was dumbfounded, and he was sent to prison."{{Cite journal |title=Fed contractor, cell phone maker sold spy system to Iran |first=Eli |last=Lake |journal=Washington Times |date=13 April 2009 |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/13/europe39s-telecoms-aid-with-spy-tech/ |access-date=31 October 2009 |archive-date=4 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204175212/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/13/europe39s-telecoms-aid-with-spy-tech/ |url-status=live }}

{{see also|Internet censorship circumvention}}

In 2003, Voice of America began to operate a proxy server for Iranian citizens, free of charge, along with internet privacy company Anonymizer and the International Broadcasting Bureau. Whenever the proxy is blocked, it uses a new IP address until that one is also blocked.Poulson, K. (2003). [https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/08/29/us_sponsors_anonymiser_if_you/ "US sponsors Anonymiser – if you live in Iran"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810141213/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/08/29/us_sponsors_anonymiser_if_you/|date=2017-08-10}}. The Register UK. Retrieved 9 December 2006. Some websites and keywords related to pornography are blocked in the American proxy, although the list of banned words is publicly available.A complete list of the blocked keywords on the American server can be found [http://opennet.net/advisories/words.html here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305025151/http://opennet.net/advisories/words.html |date=2011-03-05}}. Non-pornographic websites may be inadvertently blocked; for example, the banning of ass blocks access to the website of the United States Embassy.{{cite web|last=McCullagh|first=Declan|date=3 May 2004|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716002645/http://news.com.com/2010-1028_3-5204405.html|title=U.S. blunders with keyword blacklist|website=CNET News|access-date=9 December 2006|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/u-s-blunders-with-keyword-blacklist/|archive-date=16 July 2012}}

{{see also|United States sanctions against Iran}}

Following the 2009 Iranian presidential election, the US Senate ratified the Victims of Iranian Censorship Act (VOICE), which allocated {{currency|50|USD}} million to fund measures "to counter Iranian government efforts to jam radio, satellite, and internet-based transmissions."{{cite web |url=http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2010/January/20100121142618eaifas0.6585352.html |title=Secretary of State Clinton on Internet Freedom |publisher=America.gov |date=2010-01-21 |access-date=2011-09-15 |archive-date=2011-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014002413/http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2010/January/20100121142618eaifas0.6585352.html |url-status=live }}

In 2018, the Trump administration increased American economic sanctions against Iran. These sanctions were not intended to prevent Iranian civilians from accessing basic internet services, but multiple American technology companies subsequently blocked access to their services in Iran. Iranian users who work with the Iranian government or are involved in terrorism were also sanctioned; technology suppliers risk prosecution by the US government if selling web services to sanctioned users.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Identifying an internet user can be difficult, so some companies have entirely discontinued serving users in Iran.{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/12/23/locked-out-us-sanctions-are-ruining-online-gaming-in-iran/|date=2019-12-23|title=Locked Out: US sanctions are ruining online gaming in Iran|access-date=2021-08-02|newspaper=Al Jazeera|archive-date=1 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801104349/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/12/23/locked-out-us-sanctions-are-ruining-online-gaming-in-iran/|url-status=live}} Apple's App Store{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/15/17126342/apple-iran-app-store-block|title=Apple appears to have totally cut off Iran from the App Store|last=Kastrenakes|first=Jacob|date=2018-03-15|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=2019-10-04|archive-date=2019-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725224437/https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/15/17126342/apple-iran-app-store-block|url-status=live}} and the messaging platform Slack{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18150129/slack-iran-deactivated-sanctions-license-cuba-crimea|title=Slack is banning some users with links to Iran even if they've left the country|last=Brandom|first=Russell|date=2018-12-20|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=2019-10-04|archive-date=2019-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009202248/https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18150129/slack-iran-deactivated-sanctions-license-cuba-crimea|url-status=live}} have been unavailable in Iran since 2018. In 2019, access to free services on GitHub, GitLab, Amazon Cloud, and several video game services were also suspended.{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/github-starts-blocking-developers-in-countries-facing-us-trade-sanctions/ |title=GitHub starts blocking developers in countries facing US trade sanctions |last=Tung |first=Liam |publisher=ZDNet |language=en |access-date=2019-10-04 |archive-date=2019-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924024105/https://www.zdnet.com/article/github-starts-blocking-developers-in-countries-facing-us-trade-sanctions/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=Locked out: Why is Amazon blocking Iranians from its services?|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=2021-08-02|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/10/2/locked-out-why-is-amazon-blocking-iranians-from-its-services|last=Motamedi|first=Maziar|date=2 October 2019|archive-date=19 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619134745/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/10/2/locked-out-why-is-amazon-blocking-iranians-from-its-services|url-status=live}} Such suspensions, however, may inadvertently strengthen censorship, although Amazon Cloud, another banned service, hosts most tools that help Iranians bypass the censorship filters. Internet developers have been forced to use less secure hosting tools, which leave websites vulnerable to cyberattacks and risk users' security.{{Cite web|url=https://iranhumanrights.org/2019/08/more-iranians-forced-to-rely-on-unsafe-online-hosting-after-amazon/|title=More Iranians Forced to Rely on Unsafe Online Hosting After Amazon Ban|date=2019-08-07|website=Center for Human Rights in Iran|access-date=2019-10-04|archive-date=2019-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025232226/https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2019/08/more-iranians-forced-to-rely-on-unsafe-online-hosting-after-amazon/}}

These suspensions continue despite a General License D-1, first issued by the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (ORAC) in 2014, which authorizes private companies to provide certain "personal communications" technologies to users in Iran.{{Cite web|url=https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/iran_gld1.pdf|title=General License D-1: General License with Respect to Certain Services, Software, and Hardware Incident to Personal Communications|access-date=2019-10-05|archive-date=2019-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612030308/https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/iran_gld1.pdf|url-status=live}} When sanctions were re-imposed by the United States, the US Treasury Department highlighted that General License D-1 would help with "fostering internet freedom and supporting the Iranian people."{{Cite press release|url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0322|title=Treasury Department Reaffirms Commitment to Fostering Internet Freedom and Supporting the Iranian People|publisher=U.S. Department of the Treasury|access-date=2019-10-05|archive-date=2019-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001085605/https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm0322|url-status=live}}

• {{Section link|2017–2018 Iranian protests|Censorship}}
• Blogging in Iran
• Censorship in Iran
• Internet in Iran
• {{Section link|Mahsa Amini protests|Communications blackouts}}
• National Information Network of Iran
• Internet censorship in China

{{Reflist}}

{{use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}

{{Commons category|Internet censorship in Iran}}

• [http://www.blockediniran.com/ Blocked In Iran]—Test if any website is blocked in Iran in real-time
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140210190046/http://march12.rsf.org/i/Report_EnemiesoftheInternet_2012.pdf Internet Enemies Report 2012], Reporters Without Borders
• [http://opennet.net/research/profiles/iran Iran and Internet Filtering] (OpenNet Initiative—16 June 2009 report)
• [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/13/europe39s-telecoms-aid-with-spy-tech/ "Fed contractor, cell phone maker sold spy system to Iran"]—Washington Times article (13 April 2009)
• [https://www.article19.org/tightening-net-monitoring-internet-freedoms-iran/ "Tightening the Net: Internet Freedom in Iran."]—a series of reports documenting Internet censorship in Iran by ARTICLE19
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160202145153/http://www.howtobypassinternetcensorship.org/ How to Bypass Internet Censorship], also known by the titles: Bypassing Internet Censorship or Circumvention Tools, a FLOSS Manual, 10 March 2011, 240 pp.

{{Censorship}}

{{Internet censorship}}

{{Asia in topic|Internet censorship in}}

Category:Censorship in Islam

Iran

Iran

Category:Internet in Iran