{"id":316874,"date":"2024-02-28T19:03:57","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T18:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=316874"},"modified":"2024-02-28T19:03:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T18:03:57","slug":"deciphering-irans-regime-backpedaling-of-vpn-ban-and-exploring-future-motives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/society\/deciphering-irans-regime-backpedaling-of-vpn-ban-and-exploring-future-motives\/","title":{"rendered":"Deciphering Iran\u2019s Regime Backpedaling of VPN Ban and Exploring Future Motives"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The building of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace in Tehran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three-minute read<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Following widespread criticism regarding the ban on VPNs (virtual private networks) in Iran, the spokesperson for Ebrahim Raisi’s government attempted to minimize the significance of the measure and its potential societal implications.<\/p>\n

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On February 20, state media outlets announced that a recent decree issued by the Supreme Council of Cyberspace<\/a>\u00a0(SCC) had deemed the use of VPNs unlawful in the future. This decree had received confirmation from Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, on January 9th.<\/p>\n

In 2011, the regime\u2019s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered the establishment of the SCC to restrict the Internet and effectively block access to free information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Speaking on state TV on February 25, Ali Bahadori Jahromi refrained<\/a> from directly mentioning the Supreme Council of Cyberspace. Instead, he indicated that a “supra-governmental council” had implemented legislation prohibiting VPN usage, primarily targeting “governmental and state apparatuses,” dismissing the ruling as a “mistake made at an inappropriate time.”<\/p>\n

Jahromi asserted that state entities have been prohibited from using VPNs due to concerns about cyber threats and hacking. However, his statements appear both confusing and contradictory, particularly given that the Raisi government is responsible for enforcing internet filtering, rendering the government’s use of VPNs nonsensical.<\/p>\n

Analysts speculate that Jahromi’s mention of “inappropriate timing” suggests the issuance of this directive on the eve of elections, as the regime endeavors to counter a widespread nationwide boycott. Typically, preceding elections, the regime seeks to create a false sense of freedom through propaganda efforts.<\/p>\n

According to Article 6 of the new SCC resolution, the use of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) was generally prohibited.\u00a0The new ban, which was confirmed by Khamenei on January 9, triggered widespread reactions both domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n

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#Iran<\/a> News in Brief
MP Javad Nikbin admits that the clerical regime not only imposes political restrictions through #internet<\/a> censorship but also benefits economically from it.
He stated in a TV interview, \u201cI believe and say it explicitly that the authors of internet censorship\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/oSGV4ensuh<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 8, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n