Update: According to a document obtained by Filterwatch, Riton has ended its cooperation with the Ministry of Communications as of late December 2025. Welcoming the decision of private companies to cease collaboration with institutions involved in restricting and shutting down the internet in Iran, Filterwatch has updated this report. Since January 8, 2026, Iran's internetContinue reading "Exclusive Report:The Network Behind Iran’s Internet Shutdown; From Engineering Disconnection to Profiting off Sanctions"
Tag Archives: censorship
Digital Repression in Iran: Implementing Undisclosed Policies for Tiered Access and Judicial Control
In October 2025, the Iranian government intensified its strategy of digital repression through the practical, step-by-step implementation of policies derived from the undisclosed 32-article resolution of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC). The key development was the expansion of a tiered internet structure at the university level and the institutionalization of sweeping new legal controls.Continue reading "Digital Repression in Iran: Implementing Undisclosed Policies for Tiered Access and Judicial Control"
Digital Repression in Bandar Abbas: Explosions, Crackdowns, and Connectivity Blackouts
Arrests of Influencers, Legal Action against Journalists and Media Outlets, and Widespread Network Disruptions After explosions at the Sina pier of Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, Iranian authorities took actions that included imposing sweeping restrictions on social media influencers, apparently to suppress the free flow of information, and disrupting regional communication infrastructure. From roughlyContinue reading "Digital Repression in Bandar Abbas: Explosions, Crackdowns, and Connectivity Blackouts"
The Monopoly of Internet Infrastructure in Iran: Challenges and Consequences of Restrictions on Access and Cybersecurity
In today's world, access to the internet is widely regarded as a fundamental human right, significantly impacting economic, social, and cultural development. The internet is not only the primary tool for communication and information exchange but also a platform for innovation, education, and social engagement. The quality, speed, and accessibility of the internet heavily relyContinue reading "The Monopoly of Internet Infrastructure in Iran: Challenges and Consequences of Restrictions on Access and Cybersecurity"
A Review of Digital Freedom Violations on the Second Anniversary of the Mahsa Amini Movement: Digital Iran Bound by Policy and Restrictions
Over the past two years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has employed digital, legal, and security tools to restrict cyberspace in an unprecedented manner. From widespread internet shutdowns and filtering of communication platforms to the arrest of digital rights activists, these measures reflect a comprehensive and systematic approach to controlling and suppressing digital freedoms. DataContinue reading "A Review of Digital Freedom Violations on the Second Anniversary of the Mahsa Amini Movement: Digital Iran Bound by Policy and Restrictions"
Power Crisis Contributes to Widespread Internet Disruptions
As we slowly move past the aftermath of the fourteenth presidential election,despite the absence of significant progress in policy-making, there have been numerous changes in the area of network and internet access. Key Findings: Policy-Making: Policy-making institutions, like the Parliament, are acting contrary to the recommendations provided by their own research center. Civil society's effortsContinue reading "Power Crisis Contributes to Widespread Internet Disruptions"