In August 2023, the Iranian government introduced a new phase of internet restrictions. After a prolonged struggle, two pivotal components of these restrictions, the Regulatory Framework for Online Services (previously known as the “User Protection” bill) and the Layered Internet System, were publicly enforced for the first time that month. The government has also expressedContinue reading “Introduction of Layered Internet Infrastructure to Public”
Author Archives: لویی شکیبی
Scheduled Internet Disruptions following the Anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini’s Death
September 16 marked the first anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini and as well as the anniversary of Bloody Friday in the city of Zahedan. Sistan and Baluchestan province has faced weekly internet shutdowns every Friday for a year now. Since November 2019, Iran has implemented internet shutdowns nearly ten times, each in response to eitherContinue reading “Scheduled Internet Disruptions following the Anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini’s Death”
The Islamic Republic’s Vision for Domestic Platforms and Enhanced Regulation of Cyberspace
A key and rising goal for the Islamic Republic in recent years is to establish domestic platforms that are controlled and censored, where users are verified and monitored and have limited access to specific internet content. In this context, further progress and developments took place from July 1 to August 2, 2023. Mohammad Amin Aghamiri,Continue reading “The Islamic Republic’s Vision for Domestic Platforms and Enhanced Regulation of Cyberspace”
Guardians of Connectivity: The Tech Community in Iran Battles to Preserve Open Internet Access
According to the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis (IODA) project, which monitors internet disruptions around the world, over 20 provinces of Iran experienced various types of internet outages in August 2023. This month was also crucial for the Iranian tech sector, as it has engaged in negotiations with the ministry of telecommunication regarding network quality.Continue reading “Guardians of Connectivity: The Tech Community in Iran Battles to Preserve Open Internet Access “
Despite Denial by Iranian Authorities, Weekly Internet Shutdowns Continue In Zahedan
While we are approaching the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, Sistan and Baluchistan still faces weekly internet outages while Iranian government officials continue to avoid taking any responsibility for these disruptions. Overall during the month of July, internet disruptions affected several border cities and provinces including West Azerbaijan in the northwest of Iran to KhuzestanContinue reading “Despite Denial by Iranian Authorities, Weekly Internet Shutdowns Continue In Zahedan”
Irreparable Damage to the Digital Economy caused by Government Deployed Internet Shutdowns and Online Censorship
Internet shutdowns, regardless of their severity, have always led to economic damage in Iran. In addition to internet shutdowns, it looks like we are living in a new norm of online censorship and blocking access to the internet. Since the tragic death of Jina (Mahsa) Amini in the custody of Iran’s so-called Morality Police inContinue reading “Irreparable Damage to the Digital Economy caused by Government Deployed Internet Shutdowns and Online Censorship”
Enforcing the Use of Domestic Services through Taxation on Foreign Platforms
According to FilterWatch’s research, the Iranian government’s response to Mahsa Amini‘s death involved implementing stringent restrictions and unprecedented internet filtering. Consequently, numerous online businesses were forced to shut down, leading to a significant rise in unemployment in this sector and a substantial decline in income. Now, the government has introduced plans to impose taxesContinue reading “Enforcing the Use of Domestic Services through Taxation on Foreign Platforms”
Severe Internet Disruptions mark the 10th Birthday of Kian Pirfalak
During the month of June, the internet of Iran experienced several issues, including a severe disruption on what would have marked the tenth birthday of Kian Pirfalak, a 9-year-old boy who was killed on November 16th, 2022 by police forces during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in Iran. Authorities have not issued anyContinue reading “Severe Internet Disruptions mark the 10th Birthday of Kian Pirfalak”
Three Executions: Major Disruptions Nationwide
On May 19, three protesters, Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi and Saeed Yaqoubi, who were accused of killing a police officer and two members of the paramilitary Basij group in Isfahan during the recent protests were executed. Just before and after the executions took place, a number of protests took place across the country, especially inContinue reading “Three Executions: Major Disruptions Nationwide”
Nowruz: New year and New Disruptions Continue
At least seven major disruptions were observed this April in Iran. The weekly Friday internet shutdowns in Sistan and Baluchistan province have been ongoing throughout April in a similar pattern to March and February. These shutdowns continue as protests often take place around the same time as Friday prayers, especially in the city of Zahedan.Continue reading “Nowruz: New year and New Disruptions Continue “