Inside Iran’s new two-tier internet access, as blackout drags on

Iran shifts from blanket internet blackout to a two-tier system, granting access only to approved users as inequality and control deepen. | Contesto: cronaca

Punti chiave

• Inside Iran’s new two-tier internet access, as blackout drags on

Contesto

More than 60 days into one of the longest internet shutdowns in its history, Iran has begun rolling out a two-tier access system that grants privileged connectivity to a small group of approved users while the vast majority of the population remains offline, deepening concerns over inequality, economic damage, and tighter control of dissent. The blackout, which began in mid-November amid widespread protests over gasoline price hikes, initially cut off nearly all internet access across the country. But in recent weeks, authorities have quietly shifted from blanket censorship to a more selective approach, allowing a limited number of businesses, government agencies, and individuals deemed loyal to the regime to reconnect. The move marks a significant evolution in Iran’s internet governance, as the government seeks to mitigate the economic fallout of the shutdown while maintaining a stranglehold on communications. Under the new system, access is granted only to those who receive explicit approval from the authorities, often through a manual whitelisting process. Ordinary citizens, particularly in rural areas and among lower-income groups, have been left without access to messaging apps, social media, and essential online services. The result is a digital divide that mirrors the country’s broader social and economic inequalities, with the wealthy and well-connected able to bypass restrictions that trap the poor in information isolation. The economic consequences of the blackout have been severe. Small businesses that rely on online platforms for sales and communication have been hit hardest, with many reporting losses of up to 80 percent of their revenue. International companies operating in Iran have also struggled, unable to coordinate with local partners or access global markets. The selective reconnection has done little to reverse this damage, as the majority of enterprises remain cut off from the digital economy. Human rights groups have condemned the two-tier system as a tool of repression, arguing that it allows the government to reward allies and punish dissent. The shutdown has already been used to stifle protests, with activists and journalists among the...

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Categoria: cronaca