This report covers the activities of Iran’s Cyber Police, FATA, and Judicial authorities in restricting the country’s Internet and suppressing freedom of expression and freedom of the press online during the final quarter of 2021, which falls between October and December 2021. During this quarter we have observed the arrest of a number of journalistsContinue reading “FATAwatch: October – December 2021”
Author Archives: Filterwatch
Shutdown Monitor – Localised Internet Disruptions in Isfahan and Khuzestan
Over the past three weeks, multiple protests have taken place in the central province of Isfahan. These protests – participated in by a significant number of farmers and agricultural workers – have been taking place on and around the dried-out areas of the riverbed of the Zayanderud River. The demonstrations have been staged to voiceContinue reading “Shutdown Monitor – Localised Internet Disruptions in Isfahan and Khuzestan”
FATAwatch: July – September 2021
Our report for the period between June to September 2021 highlights the continued focus by Iran’s Cyber Police, FATA, on countering any online activity relating to online gambling and betting sites, including their promotion, as well as administering them. Although we saw fewer reports from FATA in connection with arrests and prosecutions for online activitiesContinue reading “FATAwatch: July – September 2021 “
Internet Protocol Television in Iran
Media production and distribution has long been a point of contention in Iran. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the state has continued to tighten its grip over broadcasting and multimedia production. With the evolution of digital media, Iranian society’s attitudes to content consumption has changed significantly, undermining the state’s established mechanisms of information control.Continue reading “Internet Protocol Television in Iran”
FATAwatch: April – June 2021
This edition of FATAwatch covers the second quarter of 2021, which falls between April to June 2021. The coverage period coincided with Iran’s presidential elections held on 18 June, which resulted in a win for Iran’s then Head of the Judiciary, Ebrahim Raisi. Public engagement with the election was limited, resulting in a historically lowContinue reading “FATAwatch: April – June 2021”
[Updated 26/7] Shutdown Monitor: Local Internet Disruptions Target Escalating Water Protests in Khuzestan
[Update: Monday 26 July] Over the past few days, the protests in Khuzestan have continued to spread to other parts of Iran, including the cities of Aligudarz in Lorestan, Tabriz in Eastern Azerbaijan, and Bojnourd in North Khorasan, among others. On the night of Thursday, July 22, HRANA received a video of a protest rallyContinue reading “[Updated 26/7] Shutdown Monitor: Local Internet Disruptions Target Escalating Water Protests in Khuzestan”
Filterwatch Yearbook 1399 (March 2020 – March 2021)
Welcome to the second edition of the Filterwatch Yearbook, covering the Iranian calendar year 1399 – extending from 20 March 2020 until 20 March 2021. It perhaps comes as little surprise to say that in Iran, as in the rest of the world, this year was dominated by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, whichContinue reading “Filterwatch Yearbook 1399 (March 2020 – March 2021)”
Filterwatch Yearbook 1398 (March 2019 – March 2020)
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Filterwatch Yearbook. This is the first in a series of yearbooks documenting important developments shaping the Internet in Iran. The first two volumes of this series are being published together in June 2021, and cover the Iranian calendar year 1398 (March 2019 to March 2020) and 1399 (MarchContinue reading “Filterwatch Yearbook 1398 (March 2019 – March 2020)”
FATAwatch: January – March 2021
During the first three months of 2021, we observed further tightening of restrictions in Iran’s online public space as the country’s Cyber Police (FATA), Judiciary and Intelligence services, intensified their efforts to monitor Iranians’ online activities, and take action against individuals. A number of significant events concerning Iran’s internet took place during the first fewContinue reading “FATAwatch: January – March 2021”
FATAwatch: October – December 2020
The final quarter of 2020 proved to be a busy period for Iran’s Cyber Police (or FATA). Between the months of October to December 2020 FATA continued to make a number of arrests. Many of these related to political and security charges, although an increasing number of charges related to the creation and dissemination ofContinue reading “FATAwatch: October – December 2020”