{"id":4042,"date":"2022-11-18T12:10:04","date_gmt":"2022-11-18T12:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/en\/?p=4042"},"modified":"2025-06-03T08:40:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T08:40:55","slug":"policy-monitor-september-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/english\/2022\/11\/18\/policy-monitor-september-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy Monitor: Intimidation Of Activists Online And Offline\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amid protests, which began in reaction to the tragic death of Mahsa Jhina Amini in September, internet shutdowns across the country, and in some cases restricting the internet to domestic services via National Information Network (NIN) during certain hours - especially in the evenings - has forced internet users to use insecure domestic platforms. Using domestic platforms to be able to maintain some connectivity while disconnecting the global internet to crush protests and restricting the flow of information are parts of Iran\u2019s long-term internet policies which are becoming ever more apparent during the current protests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mobile <\/span>internet disruptions<\/span><\/a> began in the city of Saqqez, Kurdistan province on 16 September, and as protests spread across Iran, so did internet shutdowns. At the same time, government authorities also further closed off the country\u2019s internet by blocking popular international messaging and social media apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram. No communication platform was immune as even online games with chat functions were targeted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The government also went after businesses inside the country, by targeting <\/span>startups<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>tech<\/span><\/a> companies by monitoring, threatening and detaining those who publicly expressed support for the protests.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a long time, the Iranian government has tried to publicly downplay the role of social media in protests and accused online activists of collaborating with \u201cforeign powers,\u201d a tactic used to push forward the agenda for a \u201csafe\u201d internet free of enemies.\u201d Meanwhile on Twitter, the hashtag Mahsa Amini in Persian and English was <\/span>used in millions<\/span><\/a> of tweets and captivated social media for days. Iran\u2019s \u201ccyber armies\u201d responded by <\/span>condemning<\/span><\/a> the trend and creating <\/span>alternative hashtags<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, there has been much talk about the use of Starlink\u2019s satellite internet for circumventing internet shutdowns. Dismissing the possibility of Starlink in Iran, ICT Minister Eisa Zarepour <\/span>noted<\/span><\/a> that the satellite company is obliged to obey Iran\u2019s laws, which would mean only allowing restricted access to the internet and undermining user security and privacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Supreme Council for Cyberspace Approves Parts of the \u201cUser Protection\u201d Bill\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

On <\/span>6 September<\/span><\/a> the Supreme Council for Cyberspace (SCC) approved sections of the controversial and contested \u201cUser Protection\u201d Bill. The approved section included an <\/span>update<\/span><\/a> in relation to the responsibilities of the Supreme Regulatory Commission, giving it authority to \u201cset policy, monitor, guide, coordinate and approve regulations and macro-plans, in all aspects of cyberspace and\u00a0 oversight of regulators.\u201d From a legal perspective, the Commission has been given legislative powers - without the need for parliamentary approval - by only requiring the Supreme Leader\u2019s final approval.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

US Treasury Announces General Licence D-2 \u201cTo Increase Support for Internet Freedom in Iran\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

As internet restrictions in Iran increased in response to the growing protests, the US Treasury issued the new General Licence GLD2 on <\/span>23 September<\/span><\/a> to increase support for Internet Freedom in Iran.\u00a0<\/span>The Iranian government called the move \u201can intervention in Iran\u2019s domestic political affairs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the US Treasury\u00a0 GLD2\u00a0 \u201cAdds covered categories of software\/services to include social media platforms, collaboration platforms, video conferencing, as well as cloud-based services in support of such services, as well as tools that incorporate communication functions and are often included with authorized items or services (e.g., online maps, e-gaming, e-learning platforms, automated translation, web maps, and user authentication services).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

GLD2 \u201cremoves the condition that communications be personal, which had created compliance burdens for companies in the past who were seeking to verify the purpose of communications.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Also the new License continues to \u201cauthorize anti-virus and anti-malware software; anti-tracking software; mobile operating systems and related software; anti-censorship tools and related software; Virtual Private Network (VPN) client software; and related software.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Push for the Progress of \u201cSmart Government\u201d via the National Information Network\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

In late September, the Majles (parliament) held a session to <\/span>review<\/span><\/a> the status of Iran\u2019s \u201cSmart Government\u201d (for e-government services) with a report submitted by the Industry and Mines Committee and additional details provided by the ICT Minister, Eisa Zarepour on progress made in launching government portals on NIN. Zarepour <\/span>said<\/span><\/a> that despite \u201cmore than 200 briefings with various agencies, the status of the digital government was less than ideal.\u201d He added plans to improve Iran's global e-government rankings by 30 points by the end of the current administration [in 2025].<\/span><\/p>\n

According to MP Mohammad Vahidi, only 15 <\/span>of the <\/span><\/a>153 e-government services planned have been completed. Also, out of the 1,663 digital services only a handful have been launched online.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s \u201cCyberspace Strategy Resolution\u201d is Ratified\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>\"Cyberspace Strategy Resolution\" <\/span><\/a>\u00a0which was approved by the SCC on 3 September was <\/span>ratified<\/span><\/a> two days later after the Supreme Leader\u2019s endorsement. The document specifies the responsibilities of each government body in respect of Internet governance and online services in Iran.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plans for Children\u2019s Internet Services in Iran Revealed\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

On <\/span>6 September<\/span><\/a>, Iran\u2019s ICT Minister, Eisa Zarepour announced plans for the launch of the \u201c456 Internet Service for Children.\u201d The service will eventually have four levels of internet access dedicated to different ages, but currently only one is available for children under 5 via mobile network operators. Filterwatch has already written about Iran\u2019s plans to create an online ecosystem for children in the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Blocking International Platforms Continues Amid Protests\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

In an <\/span>interview<\/span><\/a> on 28 September the Parliamentary for the Committee for Determining Instances of Criminal Content (CDICC), Mehdi Bagheri, stated that \u201cno decision had been made to maintain blocks on Instagram and WhatsApp indefinitely,\u201d and added that \u201cif these platforms accept Iran\u2019s laws and commit to taking responsibility, it\u2019s possible they could be unblocked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As protests, which began in September in reaction to the death in custody of the 22-year old Mahsa Jhina Amini continue, the government <\/span>imposed<\/span><\/a> severe restrictions on the internet and at times <\/span>limited<\/span><\/a> the internet to domestic services-only via the NIN and blocked numerous apps, services and games, to reduce the flow of information in the country. The following platforms and websites have been affected so far:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n