Internet censorship in Iran

Iran is known for having one of the world's most comprehensive Internet censorship systems.[1][2][3][4] The Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have blocked access to many popular websites and online services, including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Telegram.[5][6] Internet traffic in the country is heavily restricted and monitored.[7] Internet Filtering Committee (Iran) headed by Prosecutor-General of Iran decides which websites must be censored and implements this vast censorship.

In response to the 2019 Iranian protests, the government implemented a near-total Internet shutdown, reducing traffic to just 5% of normal levels.[2][8][9] A 2022 poll ranked Iran as the country with the second highest level of Internet censorship after it repeatedly disrupted Internet access and blocked social media platforms to curb protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.[10] The government is now targeting Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an effort to completely block citizens' access to foreign media and online content.[11]

  1. ^ MacLellan, Stephanie (9 January 2018). "What You Need to Know about Internet Censorship in Iran". Centre for International Governance Innovation. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b Skinner, Helena (22 November 2019). "How did Iran's government pull the plug on the Internet?". euronews. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  3. ^ Anderson, Finbar (23 November 2019). "Iran's internet blackout: What is happening, and why did the government turn it off?". The Telegraph.
  4. ^ "It's not the first time Iran has shut down the internet". Access Now. 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Freedom on the Net 2018 – Iran". Refworld. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Iran's Intranet: a Master Plan for Internet Censorship". Millichronicle. 1 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  7. ^ "How to help #KeepItOn in Iran". Access Now. 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  8. ^ Anderson, Finbar (23 November 2019). "Iran's internet blackout: What is happening, and why did the government turn it off?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  9. ^ "It's not the first time Iran has shut down the internet, but this time, it's different". Access Now. 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  10. ^ "10 Countries Where VPNs Are Illegal. Find Out Who Banned VPNs and Why (Updated 2023)". CyberGhost Privacy Hub. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  11. ^ "10 Countries Where VPNs Are Illegal. Find Out Who Banned VPNs and Why (Updated 2023)". CyberGhost Privacy Hub. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.