Reporters Without Borders criticizes intensifying internet censorship in Iran

Reporters Without Borders has announced that Iran intends to hand over control of social media to the armed forces. The Iranian government has been urged to adhere to international obligations. Iran intends to create a “digital wall.”

The issue is about the plan to “protect users’ rights in cyberspace and organize social media.” Behind this complex title lies a plan that Reporters Without Borders believes is aimed at intensifying internet censorship.

Reporters Without Borders has announced that by submitting this plan to the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Islamic Republic of Iran intends to completely hand over control of traffic on social networks and the Internet to the armed forces.

For example, Article 5 of the “Protection Plan…” states: “Digital border security and cyber defense of the country and prevention of unauthorized exploitation of virtual data at the country’s broadband entry and exit ports will be carried out by the relevant authorities, with the General Staff of the Armed Forces as the focal point.”

The same article states that the limits and scope of the duties of "digital border and cyber defense" are determined by the proposal of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and must be approved by the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei.

In their statement, Reporters Without Borders expressed concern about the imminent approval of this bill in parliament and called on the Iranian government to adhere to its international obligations and refrain from implementing this law.

Intensification of Internet censorship

The Reporters Without Borders statement referred to another part of the “Protection…” plan, stating that anyone who violates the provisions of the plan will be imprisoned “between 90 days and six months.”

The report states that those who attempt to produce or distribute various types of filter breakers and electronic computer tools such as VPNs (virtual private networks) can be sentenced to two years in prison and pay heavy fines.

Iris de Villars, head of technology at Reporters Without Borders, said that passing such a law would mean "putting social media under complete control, blocking access to information, and denying the Iranian people their fundamental right to information."

The statement by Reporters Without Borders mentions the implementation of such a plan under the title of creating a "digital wall."

The head of technology at Reporters Without Borders has said that in exchange for restricting and blocking foreign social networks and messaging apps, the Iranian government will effectively give the people a version of what is called a "halal internet."

Iris de Villars also said that the Islamic Republic has signed many international treaties, including agreements governing free and unrestricted access to the Internet.

He has considered the approval of this law by the Islamic Consultative Assembly a serious threat to freedom of expression in Iran.

The statement from Reporters Without Borders states that despite censorship and restrictions imposed, social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram continue to play an important role in providing news and information to the Iranian people.

The statement said that the restrictions and censorship imposed on the internet do not apply to senior government officials, who not only have access to all sites and networks, but also have the right to freely post their opinions. Reporters Without Borders has called this a clear example of digital discrimination.

The statement said that in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, Iran ranks 173rd out of 180 countries.

Source: DW