In the past month, Iranian officials—from Majles representatives to cabinet ministers and members of the Supreme Cyberspace Council—have repeatedly pointed to circumvention tools as a major source of problems and insecurity in cyberspace. These developments suggest that Iranian officials see themselves as at war with these technologies and are planning accordingly. Though such comments haveContinue reading “Iranian Officials Tacitly Declare War on Circumvention Tools”
Author Archives: لویی شکیبی
The Elected President Emphasizes The Implementation Of The Seventh Development Plan; A Bleak Future For Digital Rights
The seventh development plan law is of utmost importance among all internet policies in Iran. Masoud Pezeshkian, the president-elect, has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to implementing this plan during presidential debates and in his announcements. Therefore, over the next four years, the situation of digital rights and the right to internet access can be examinedContinue reading “The Elected President Emphasizes The Implementation Of The Seventh Development Plan; A Bleak Future For Digital Rights”
Big Disruptions to Internet Protocol Version 6 Continue Policy of Unsafe Internet
In a move with little precedent, Iranian censorship authorities have seriously disrupted Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), Filterwatch investigations show. IPv6 is the newest version of internet protocol, or IP, which serves as the basis of internet communications. IPv6 is a more advanced version of the old IPv4, with an IP address capacity expanded fromContinue reading “Big Disruptions to Internet Protocol Version 6 Continue Policy of Unsafe Internet”
Subduing Internet Companies: The Final Piece in the Surveillance State Puzzle
The past month saw the advance of a policy intended to secure government control over digital economy companies. By acquiring stocks and ownership rights in these companies, the government seeks greater ability to monitor and control with fewer obstacles from the private sector. With such tactics, the government now has a freer hand to accessContinue reading “Subduing Internet Companies: The Final Piece in the Surveillance State Puzzle”
Next-Generation Filtering; Phishing with Governable Templates Analytical
Filterwatch’s research indicates that the “next-generation proxy,” a topic of discussion among Iranian authorities, is a multifaceted initiative. It is not only a part of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace’s resolutions aimed at boosting domestic internet traffic and enhancing censorship measures but also builds upon a foundation laid by previous technical projects. This approach essentiallyContinue reading “Next-Generation Filtering; Phishing with Governable Templates Analytical “
DDoS Attacks During Nowruz Holidays
During the Nowruz holidays in Iran, which began on March 26, a DDoS cyberattack disrupted internet access, leading to widespread disturbances. Reports indicated short-term mobile internet outages, and these disruptions persisted even after the Nowruz holidays. According to Cloudflare data, the attack affected over 80% of Iran’s network, and per local network experts, network packetContinue reading “DDoS Attacks During Nowruz Holidays”
Iranian Government Tracks Imported Hardware
According to documents acquired by Filter Watch, the Iranian government is implementing a registration system for all imported computer hardware, components, and kits. This initiative mirrors a previous policy mandating the registration of imported cellphones and is designed to enable the tracking of computer equipment. The letters indicate that the registration requirement covers devices likeContinue reading “Iranian Government Tracks Imported Hardware”
Targeted VPN Protocol Disruption Following New Legislation:
Between February 8, 2024, and the end of the month, there have been widespread and deliberate disruptions on protocols used in censorship circumvention tools and VPNs. Our research, which includes insights from developers of widely-used VPNs in Iran and data from the network monitoring community, indicates extensive and targeted disruptions on protocols such as Shadowsocks,Continue reading “Targeted VPN Protocol Disruption Following New Legislation: “
Iran’s Future: Filtered, Traceable, and Anti-Sanctions
In the past month, Iranian authorities announced statutes and guidelines that will have a significant impact on the future of the internet in Iran. They include measures to drive users to platforms that emulate foreign products, track user activity on internet and intranet, establish tiered internet access, and generate income from the sale of VPNs.Continue reading “Iran’s Future: Filtered, Traceable, and Anti-Sanctions”
The hidden war on internet access in Iran
On February 13, 2024, a hacker group called “Rebellion Until Overthrow” leaked parliamentary documents and emails that revealed the Islamic Republic’s internet censorship and surveillance practices. The documents showed how the government used urban cameras to surveil and suppress protesters, and how it has a vision to limit internet access to the global internet forContinue reading “The hidden war on internet access in Iran”