Regime authorities Continue Digital Censorship and “Tiered Internet” Policy Following Historic Nationwide Shutdown
After 88 days of nationwide internet disruption, internet access in Iran has been partially restored, but cyberspace in the country remains heavily restricted and far from free.
Live data from NetBlocks and technology company Cloudflare shows that internet traffic in Iran has increased noticeably compared to recent weeks. However, connectivity levels remain significantly lower than before January’s nationwide protests.
Internet access in Iran has faced severe disruptions since the January protests, when regime authorities dramatically slowed connections to isolate protesters from one another and cut communication with the outside world.
Following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, the regime’s authorities imposed what became the longest nationwide internet shutdown in Iran’s contemporary history. Regime officials justified the blackout on security grounds, but critics say the regime has long used internet restrictions as a tool to suppress information and control society.
Internet Appears Active but Remains Heavily Restricted
Although some internet services are functioning again, many platforms remain inaccessible or unstable, and communication with the outside world continues to be difficult.
Observers say the regime’s current strategy appears aimed at keeping the internet technically online while deliberately manipulating data traffic to prevent normal and unrestricted use. Under this approach, connectivity exists in appearance, but the free flow of information — especially regarding protests, political unrest, and war-related developments — remains tightly controlled.
Reports indicate that data transfers abroad are being deliberately restricted, making it difficult for citizens to share videos, images, and information with international audiences.
“Tiered Internet” Policy Continues
According to regime officials, the administration of Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the reopening of international internet access earlier this week. Before that decision, a crisis task force led by First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref was reportedly formed to centralize internet policymaking and eliminate conflicting decisions among state institutions.
In Iran, multiple powerful bodies — including the Supreme National Security Council and the Supreme Council of Cyberspace — play major roles in digital censorship and internet regulation.
During the shutdown, the Supreme National Security Council reportedly approved a system granting limited access to a less restricted version of the internet, known as “Internet Pro,” to select groups willing to pay for access.
The privileged internet service was reportedly offered to members of the Chamber of Commerce, technology companies, startups, and selected business sectors, while ordinary citizens remained cut off from global communication.
Evidence now suggests that this “tiered internet” policy continues. Some groups are still reportedly receiving promotional messages encouraging them to purchase special internet packages with fewer restrictions.
Critics argue that the policy institutionalizes digital inequality by dividing society between privileged users connected to state-approved networks and the broader population facing censorship and isolation.
Small Businesses and Women Severely Affected
The prolonged internet shutdown caused widespread economic damage, particularly for small businesses and online entrepreneurs.
Many women across Iran’s cities and rural communities depended on online platforms to sell handmade clothing, dried fruit, food products, crafts, and other goods. For numerous families, these digital businesses represented a critical source of income.
With internet access severely disrupted for nearly three months, many of these businesses reportedly collapsed entirely, depriving families of essential financial support.
Millions of people also remain disconnected from the digital economy, online education, banking services, and communication tools.
Communication Under Surveillance
Sources inside Iran say several major applications, including WhatsApp, continue to function poorly or remain inaccessible, even through VPN services.
VPNs — tools that create encrypted connections to servers outside Iran — have long been used by Iranians to bypass censorship and access blocked websites and social media platforms.
Currently, landline phone services reportedly remain one of the few partially reliable communication methods. However, before calls are connected, users hear automated messages instructing them to enter verification codes — a process many fear is linked to government surveillance and monitoring of conversations.
Digital rights activists warn that censorship and surveillance remain deeply embedded in Iran’s internet infrastructure, even outside periods of political unrest.
Longstanding Internet Censorship in Iran
Internet censorship in Iran predates the current crisis. For years, authorities have blocked access to many global websites and social media platforms.
Applications and platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are inaccessible to many users without expensive VPN services or special local bypass tools.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly accused the regime of using internet shutdowns, filtering, and digital surveillance to suppress dissent, limit freedom of expression, and prevent documentation of state violence during protests and political crises.
