Image by Mahmoud Reza Nourbakhsh
Several reports indicate that the Iranian regime has taken another step to control the already heavily censored Internet. According to an IT Iran report [fa], the circumvention software Psiphon, as well as Kerio and Open VPN, are no longer effective against the Iranian state’s efforts to block websites.
The report also says that Internet speeds have fallen sharply, restricting access to many websites. Some consider it a leap towards launching an Iranian national internet, and others say the coming presidential election in June is why they are tightening their grip on the internet.
Iranian netizens reacted to this sad event:
The blog ‘Fighting against Internet filtering’ says [fa]:
The problem started on Saturday, May 4. You face problems when you use anti-filtering software and the Internet connection gets interrupted.
@SHoBBarMZ tweeted [fa]:
“Filtering is closer to you than God.” Ministry of Communication
Some netizens directly addressed the Iranian regime. @Babakaram tweeted [fa]:
Be proud that you have one of the strongest cyber armies yet you only use it for restriction and filtering.
Another tweet by the same person says, sometimes the authorities say many countries face filtering and it’s a normal thing.
@Mahtab tweeted [fa]:
When we get old, we will tell our grand children it’s because of filtering that we became old.
The blogger Andarbaba encourages Iranians around the world to protest against Internet filtering no matter their political opinions.
Iranian filtering does not concern only Iranians. Colin D. Anderson, a computer researcher in the United States, tweets regularly about Iranian censorship. It’s a real window on the situation for anyone who wants to learn the real situation of virtual Iran.
Written by Farid
