The Iranian government is massively restricting internet access for the population, increasingly turning it into a privilege for the few. According to Deutsche Welle, more than 60 days after the start of one of the longest shutdowns in the country’s history, most people remain offline. Instead of a blanket ban, authorities are now using a system that selects who gets access.
In addition to an unpublished whitelist for regime-loyal individuals and influencers, the authorities have introduced a system called “Internet Pro.” The government in Tehran does not deny that selected users are allowed to stay online – but the exact number of those authorized is unknown. The measures follow years of increasing control after repeated unrest, including the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 and a deadly crackdown in early 2026.
Abbas Araghtschi justified the shutdown in January with “terrorist operations” from abroad. The acts of war declared by the US and Israel on February 28 further tightened controls. The monitoring group NetBlocks noted in April that regime officials and approved influencers continue to post unhindered on social media, while 90 million Iranians have been effectively silenced.
Source: www.dw.com
