Arrr! Ye scurvy dogs in Iran be sufferin' from the most wretched connectivity on the high seas of the internet!
2024-01-18
Arrr! Word be out, matey! 'Tis said that Tehran be the new scallywag, makin' landlubbers walk the plank o' internet disruptions! Forced to rely on VPN treasures to plunder information, ye see. Here be what be at risk, me hearties!
The internet in Iran is facing severe restrictions and disruptions, making it one of the worst in the world. The Tehran Electronic Commerce Association (TECA) has reported blocked websites, slower speeds, and filtering saturation of IP addresses. Experts blame the government's lack of knowledge for this situation, which has led citizens to rely on VPN services and other circumventing tools to access crucial information online.Iran has one of the most restrictive internet environments globally, blocking access to popular websites and surveilling online content. The TECA investigation reveals that nearly half of all websites in Iran experienced interruptions in the past nine months, with daily outages occurring between 5pm and 11pm. These disruptions are caused by new filtering equipment within the domestic network.
Iran's economy has suffered significant losses due to internet shutdowns and service blocking. The government's indiscriminate censorship on the IP level without clear reasons has further worsened the internet quality in Iran. Authorities have also been shutting off the internet during times of political turmoil. Iran has been the biggest perpetrator of internet shutdowns and has enforced weekly disruptions in the Zahedan region.
Citizens have resorted to becoming tech-savvy by using virtual private networks (VPNs) to navigate the restricted online environment. However, authorities have also been targeting VPN users, increasing the risk of detection and punishment. Iran's collaboration with China in developing its national version of the internet poses further risks of isolation and limited access to information and economic opportunities.
The international community has condemned Iran's internet censorship, but the government shows no signs of easing its grip and instead invests in developing its own domestic platforms and infrastructure. The situation is worsened by a new spike in internet prices, limiting people's online activities. The future of the internet in Iran remains uncertain, posing a serious challenge to digital freedom and dignity for the Iranian people.