A recent report published on January 2 by Top10VPN sheds light on the extensive internet restrictions imposed by the Iranian regime, revealing not only a significant economic impact but also raising concerns about human rights abuses.
According to the report, Iran has witnessed a staggering 516 hours of internet blackout and 12,624 hours of social media shutdown. The total cost of these internet restrictions is estimated at a whopping $920.3 million. This economic toll is a result of the prolonged limitations on digital connectivity and online communication platforms.
The Iranian regime initiated the blocking of Instagram and WhatsApp in September 2022 in response to widespread demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody. These social media restrictions, which are still in place at the time of publication, have been a cause for concern not only due to their impact on the free flow of information but also for the economic consequences they entail.
The economic impact of the social media blockade alone reached over $907 million in 2023. This staggering figure underscores the far-reaching consequences of such restrictions, affecting businesses, entrepreneurs, and the overall economic landscape.
Notably, the report underscores that the regime authorities are not oblivious to the economic ramifications of cutting off the internet and blocking popular social networks. Managers of Iranian internet companies conveyed in a meeting with the Ministry of Communications that a 5-day internet shutdown in November 2019 significantly reduced their income by 250 trillion tomans per day. Despite this economic setback, regime policy persists in investing heavily in native messengers, positioning them as alternatives to foreign platforms.
This approach, emulating China’s successful model of creating national networks, has proven unsuccessful in Iran over the past decade. The government’s attempts to launch national platforms as alternatives to popular foreign services like Instagram and Telegram have faced considerable challenges. The Iranian society, it seems, is not ready to embrace these domestic alternatives, expressing a lack of trust in government-related technology. This skepticism prevails, rendering these platforms non-viable alternatives for both short and long-term use in Iranian society.
Despite efforts to promote native alternatives, the demand for VPNs in Iran has surged dramatically, rising ‘three thousand percent’ after the filtering of Instagram, according to Top10VPN.
Moreover, the report highlights the regime authorities’ practice of imposing weekly internet blackouts every Friday in Zahedan, located in Iran’s southeast. These blackout measures further contribute to the challenges faced by individuals and businesses in maintaining a consistent online presence, disrupting the normal flow of daily activities and communications.
Beyond the economic implications, the report also emphasizes the human rights abuses associated with these restrictions, particularly the right to peaceful assembly. The initial blocking of social media platforms was a response to widespread public demonstrations, reflecting a broader pattern of limiting citizens’ ability to express dissent and assemble peacefully.
As the Iranian regime continues to enforce these stringent internet regulations, there is a growing concern not only for the economic welfare of the nation but also for the preservation of fundamental human rights. The impact of such restrictions goes beyond the financial realm, affecting the very fabric of society and raising important questions about the balance between security measures and the right to freedom of expression.
