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Iran’s Internet Blackout Evolves into Permanent Digital Repression System
Iran’s internet blackout has transformed into a sophisticated system of digital repression, with the regime now viewing citizens’ connection to the outside world as an “existential threat,” according to digital rights monitors tracking the situation.
After 22 days of unrest and several days of near-total nationwide internet shutdown, monitoring group NetBlocks reported Monday that Iran’s connectivity landscape has dramatically shifted, with only limited and unstable internet access emerging in some parts of the country.
“Indications are that we’re seeing a move toward a kind of ‘filternet plus’ censorship scheme in Iran,” explained NetBlocks CEO Alp Toker, describing “a rapid decline into a darker kind of digital darkness.”
The new approach represents a significant evolution from previous censorship tactics. While internet platforms were extensively censored before the protests, the regime is now selectively whitelisting only a handful of services deemed critical for business needs—and even this access remains sporadic, suggesting the censorship system is still in a testing phase.
“The digital darkness is in fact getting darker because the information controls are getting tighter,” Toker noted. “Where international links were tolerated as a window to trade, the regime is approaching each of these as potential threats.”
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 2,571 people have been killed as of Monday, with additional deaths suspected but unverified due to the communications blackout that began on January 8. The shutdown was implemented as demonstrations escalated since December 28, with authorities seeking to prevent protesters from organizing, sharing videos of government crackdowns, and communicating with international observers.
According to Iran International, the blackout is expected to continue until at least late March, with government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani reportedly telling media activists that access to international online services would not be restored before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, on March 20.
The extended internet shutdown has profound implications for Iranian society. “Having internet access was always a window to the outside and a lifeline for many Iranians,” Toker said. “It allowed for personal expression and culture that is banned by the regime. These online freedoms can be as simple as online gaming, watching foreign movies or women’s ability to participate equally in spaces that would otherwise be barred by the Islamic Republic.”
The loss of these freedoms is particularly devastating for younger Iranians. “With the internet blackout continuing, the curtain has been drawn on that window,” Toker explained. “This is angering many Iranians, particularly Gen Z, who stand to lose a part of their identity.”
The digital clampdown has coincided with several cyber incidents targeting Iran’s state infrastructure. Anti-regime activists recently hacked Iran’s national broadcaster, briefly interrupting state television to air protest messages and calls from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah and a prominent opposition figure.
These vulnerabilities in Iran’s digital infrastructure stem directly from the country’s isolation. “The lack of up-to-date security is an issue for Iran caused directly by the country’s digital isolation,” Toker said. “Iran’s internet systems are outdated, and security tools aren’t available due to internet restrictions.”
International sanctions have further complicated the situation, forcing widespread use of pirated software that often contains hidden vulnerabilities easily exploited to breach critical networks.
Cyber warfare played a significant role during the June 2025 clashes between Israel and Iran, prompting the initial blackout as a defensive measure against digital attacks. Israel also restricted parts of its own network during that period.
“In 2026, we haven’t seen the same focus on cyber incidents, but it’s clear there’s an ongoing battle between state actors as well as individual hackers,” Toker concluded, highlighting the complex interplay between internal repression and international cyber conflict that continues to shape Iran’s digital landscape.
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8 Comments
This is a concerning development. Iran’s regime seems increasingly paranoid about its citizens accessing the open internet and information from outside the country. Restricting digital access is a dangerous tactic to suppress dissent and control the narrative.
Agreed. Limiting internet access and selectively whitelisting services is a heavy-handed approach that will likely backfire and further alienate the Iranian people. The regime’s fear of the free flow of information is a sign of its weakness.
The Iranian government’s transformation of the internet blackout into a permanent system of digital repression is deeply concerning. Restricting access to information and selectively whitelisting services is a clear attempt to stifle dissent and maintain control. This is a troubling development.
The Iranian government’s clampdown on digital freedoms is deeply troubling. Cutting off citizens from the open internet reflects the regime’s insecurity and lack of confidence in its own legitimacy. This will only breed more resentment and unrest.
You’re right. Trying to control the flow of information in this way is a losing battle in the long run. The Iranian people will find ways around these restrictions, and the regime’s heavy-handed tactics will likely only strengthen their resolve.
This shift towards a more sophisticated system of digital repression in Iran is alarming. Selectively whitelisting services and creating a ‘filternet plus’ censorship scheme demonstrates the regime’s fear of its citizens accessing information from the outside world. It’s a dangerous path.
Iran’s tightening of digital restrictions, viewing the internet as an ‘existential threat’, is a worrying development. Limiting access to information and the free exchange of ideas is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes desperate to maintain control. This will only breed more discontent.
Absolutely. Clamping down on digital freedoms is a sign of the Iranian regime’s weakness, not its strength. Trying to isolate its citizens from the global flow of information is a futile effort that will ultimately backfire.