Iran's Internet: A Controlled Comeback?
In a move that has left many questioning the government's intentions, Iran's internet is slowly creeping back online, but not without strict limitations and an air of controversy.
Nearly three weeks after one of the most severe internet shutdowns on record, some of Iran's population is regaining access, yet it's a far cry from a full restoration.
The country's decision to cut off internet access on January 8th was widely interpreted as a strategic move to suppress information about the government's response to protests.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi justified the shutdown as a response to "terrorist operations." But here's where it gets controversial: evidence suggests that while some internet access has returned, it's highly controlled and inconsistent.
Iran's Shargh newspaper reported that officials claimed mobile internet had been restored, but many users still face limited and intermittent connectivity, often requiring multiple attempts.
Web traffic monitoring firms have noticed signs of inconsistent internet usage, raising questions about who has access and under what conditions. Doug Madory, Director of Internet Analysis at Kentik, stated, "What we're seeing isn't a return to normal. Major platforms are being allowed and blocked at different times during the day."
NetBlocks, an independent internet monitoring group, reported similar findings. Madory suggested that this pattern could indicate authorities testing a new system to block web traffic, with real-time changes being made.
Amir Rashidi, Director of Cybersecurity at the Miaan Group, pointed out that this selective access hints at a government-approved list of individuals who are granted connectivity. Human rights organizations argue that this control over internet access has significantly limited information about the crackdown on protesters.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) confirmed the deaths of 5,925 protesters as of January 26th, with a potential final toll several times higher. Internet rights observers believe the unrest has provided authorities with an opportunity to accelerate their plans to tighten control over the internet, measures that would likely face stronger resistance under normal circumstances.
Sources cited by Shargh indicate that internet access in Iran has been divided into multiple levels, ranging from a complete shutdown to normal access, with current connectivity still far from a full restoration. Foreign messaging apps like WhatsApp remain restricted, while some local communication platforms are accessible, albeit with security and privacy concerns.
Interestingly, some users have reported intermittent connections to the outside world using services like Google Meet, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, or FaceTime to contact family members. Rashidi suggests that selectively granting access to certain parts of the internet can inadvertently allow tools like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to function, even briefly.
VPNs are secure online connections that can bypass location-based content blocks. "As long as there is any ability to transmit even a single bit of data, it is possible to find ways to use VPNs," Rashidi explained.
However, the evidence suggests that authorities are determined to prevent VPNs from operating and maintain control over who can connect. Iran's Minister of Communications, Sattar Hashemi, stated on January 26th that the daily losses caused by the internet shutdown amount to nearly five trillion tomans ($35 million; £25 million).
Amid economic pressures, authorities have introduced tightly controlled internet access for some businesses. Analysts believe this may be part of a plan to manage connectivity more selectively. Business figures reported to the BBC that in some cities, members of the Chamber of Commerce are granted just 20 to 30 minutes of unfiltered internet access per day, under strict supervision and after multiple identity verification stages.
One member of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, speaking anonymously, described the access as "fully rationed and strictly time-limited." They added that if work wasn't completed within the allotted time, the entire verification process had to be repeated, a system they called "effectively paralysing and humiliating."
FilterWatch, an internet freedom observer, has warned that authorities are rapidly implementing new systems and rules to cut Iran off from the international internet. Madory, looking at web traffic data, suggested that a full restoration of internet access in Iran may never occur.
So, what does this mean for Iran's future? And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about access to information; it's about control and power. With the government tightly regulating internet access, what does this say about the future of free speech and expression in Iran? Are we witnessing a new era of digital censorship? These are questions that demand our attention and discussion. What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.
