ARTICLE 19’s ‘Tightening the Net’ series monitors and analyses freedom of expression online in Iran
Over the last several years, people in Iran have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers, and following each nationwide uprising, the Islamic Republic tightens its control over the internet, ushering in increasingly dire phases of digital repression.
Our briefing series provides comprehensive analysis and monitoring of:
- Unlawful arrests and intimidation of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders
- Online surveillance, repression, and harassment of vulnerable communities on social media
- The government’s plan to secure and maintain online content, servers, data, and networks inside Iran through the National Information Network (NIN)
- Impact of outside influence on Iran’s approach to internet governance, particularly the development of its NIN and tools that enable increased surveillance and repression
- Legislative proposals and policies that impact freedom of expression and digital rights
- Censorship of content and online platforms used to advocate for human rights
We analyse the current climate of internet shutdowns and access in Iran and propose recommendations to the Iranian government, technology companies, and civil society in line with international law.
China’s infrastructure of oppression in Iran
In this report, ARTICLE 19 provides a comprehensive analysis of the growing digital cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We highlight China’s role in enabling and expanding Iran’s surveillance, censorship, and control infrastructure, offering one of the few in-depth examinations of how this partnership has contributed to the intensification of digital repression in the country.
Iran’s new phase of digital repression
Following every national uprising, the Islamic Republic pays special heed to further centralising and tightening control over the internet, prompting a new era of digital repression. In this report, ARTICLE 19 examines how the Iranian regime is strengthening its hold over the internet through its Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC), with ever-increasing powers and under a new hardline leadership. While the election of the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, might signal potential change in personnel for the body, there is little doubt what we have documented will continue to be the trajectory. We also issue recommendations on how third-party states and private entities should react to these changes.
Iran’s draconian Internet Bill
ARTICLE 19, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Access Now, along with over 50 other organisations, call on Iranian authorities and those engaged in bilateral dialogue with Iran to pressure the Iranian parliament to rescind the ‘User Protection Bill’.
Read more about the internet bill
Blog: Iran’s ‘Protection Bill’ will hurt the queer community the most
Iran: Parliament moves to ratify central elements of oppressive Internet Bill
Iran: Cyberspace authorities ‘silently’ usher in draconian internet bill
Digital repression during uprisings
Iranian authorities continue to deploy new tactics to crack down on freedom of expression and access to information as the popular uprising continues across the country.
More about digital repression during protests
Iran: 20 days of shutdown hides full scale of human rights abuses
UN: Human Rights Council meets amid bloodshed in Iran
Iran: Bloodshed unfolding amid communications blackout
Content moderation in Iran’s authoritarian internet environment
ARTICLE 19, Access Now and the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) have come together to make recommendations to Meta and Meta’s Oversight Board in an effort to streamline processes to ensure freedom of expression is protected for users who rely on their platform in Iran, especially during protests.
Read more about internet freedoms in Iran
Iran: Meta must protect the Iranian #MeToo movement
Iran: Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity amid internet shutdowns
