{"id":325040,"date":"2024-10-16T15:37:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=325040"},"modified":"2024-10-16T17:05:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T16:05:08","slug":"iran-news-freedom-house-ranks-clerical-regime-as-worlds-third-worst-internet-freedom-violator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/society\/iran-news-freedom-house-ranks-clerical-regime-as-worlds-third-worst-internet-freedom-violator\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News: Freedom House Ranks Clerical Regime as World\u2019s Third Worst Internet Freedom Violator"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"vpn<\/span><\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s systematic repression of internet freedom has once again come under global scrutiny, as Freedom House\u2019s latest report<\/a> ranks the clerical dictatorship as the world\u2019s third most oppressive regime when it comes to controlling online access. According to the report, the regime has increasingly turned to internet censorship and suppression of digital spaces to maintain its hold on power, particularly during elections and times of civil unrest.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the lead-up to the presidential election in June and July 2024, Iranian authorities criminalized any online content that criticized regime-approved candidates, encouraged election boycotts, or supported protests. These restrictions were seen as part of a broader effort to boost voter turnout and lend legitimacy to an election that was already marked by arbitrary disqualifications of opposition candidates. The regime\u2019s judiciary went so far as to warn candidates and their supporters not to use foreign social media platforms, the vast majority of which have long been banned in the country.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This crackdown on digital freedom is only one element of Iran\u2019s broader strategy to suppress dissent and control the flow of information. In its report, Freedom House highlighted how the Iranian regime has ramped up its efforts to manipulate online discourse through disinformation campaigns. These efforts have included the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to distort political and social narratives, although the impact of such operations remains limited for now. According to OpenAI, a leading AI research organization, attempts by Iranian actors to use tools like ChatGPT to influence electoral outcomes were largely ineffective, with minimal public engagement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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#Iran<\/a> News in Brief
The state-run outlet Fararu reported on July 12 that the implications of #internet<\/a> censorship in Iran are costing internet users billions of tomans and the regime is cashing in the money people spend on VPNs. 1\/https:\/\/t.co\/oBk9QB0Z2L<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/al3zvAtSe5<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 13, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n