How Iranian Internet Crackdown Snags Businesses and What to Do Now?

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Iranian Internet Crackdown: Iran strictly controls Social media, but its use – including in organizing demonstrations – leads numerous everyday Iranians to seek out ways around the censors.

Majority young people in Iran already discerned how to circumvent internet blocks by using proxies and VPNs. As a result of recent sit-ins in the country, restrictions became tighter – several social networks were temporarily outlawed.

The ban drove many less savvy and the experienced internet users to install VPN apps on their smartphones.(also check, 5 Best VPN for Iran 2018)

VPNs work by routing internet data traffic through various computers and networks and can in effect dodge the censors by making a user “seem” to be a foreigner. But of course the government is aware of such facilities, and it’s a game of cat and mouse, with censors, tracking down VPN apps and common Iranians getting new ones.

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How Iranian Internet Crackdown Snags Businesses and What to Do Now?

Internet censorship is very complex in Iran and mapping how people work around it is even more difficult. So here are some key inquiries – and answers – about the way Iranians utilize social media and the internet.

What are Social Media Channels Big in Iran?

Telegram and Instagram, primarily because they are not banned most of the time. (Although Telegram is “tentatively” restricted now).

Telegram is an instant messaging app – if you’re not familiar of it, it’s in a comparable category as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Telegram users can interact one to one, or subscribe to channels which can broadcast communications.

Instagram, of course, is the Facebook-owned photo-sharing network.

What about Facebook and Twitter?

Facebook and Twitter are officially inaccessible, but many users are active on Twitter via proxies. The News website Twitter account, for instance, has one million followers. Restrictions have changed users’ behavior. Iranians use Telegram like Twitter and Instagram like Facebook.

Any others?

WhatsApp was never successful in Iran, but the current ban on Telegram has forced many users to use it. There’s also a host of native apps, including one developed by the country broadcaster, called Soroush. The administration has also recently expelled the ban on the Chinese instant messaging app WeChat. But several users don’t trust these apps to keep their messages private and secure. Read on Iranian Internet Crackdown to know more!(also see, How to Unblock Whatsapp Video Calling in Saudi Arabia?)

How Precisely are Protests Organized through Social Media in Iran?

Supposedly, Telegram have been the primary platform, people used to get and share information about the protests. It is said that the first call to participate protests in the city of Mashhad was posted widely on local public channels of Telegram. During the widespread protests, the location and time of gatherings made the rounds on Telegram channels and groups.

Why isn’t the Iranian Government Outlawing Platforms Indefinitely?

Again, it’s the competing governmental and financial interests inside the cabinet which help explain the story.

President Hassan Rouhani, in his re-election crusade last year, vowed to better freedom of access to social media platforms. And only one week before the recent protests began, Mr. Rouhani emphasized that his information minister would “not press the button that blocks social media” – a promise he went back on by momentarily banning Instagram and Telegram. But it would be enormously breaking Mr. Rouhani to support an indefinite social media ban.

There are around 41 million internet users in Iran and almost 50 million own a smartphone. With the expansion of mobile data in the country, a more comprehensive social media ban would cause huge discontent – and most likely drive even more Iranians to use VPNs.

Also, many businesses need internet access, including some hugely profitable ones owned by individuals with close ties to the establishment.

Conservatives also have political motivations to keep social media available. Online conservatives called “Arzeshi” now undertake well-funded social media campaigns to voice their full-throated support for the supreme leader – including on banned platforms such as Twitter.

And like in various countries around the globe, politicians also employ social media to reach their supporters directly. With only restricted access to state-controlled television, President Rouhani live-streamed his election drive on Instagram last year. Digital media is the only means that the more conservative political figures, including MPs, the president, and his cabinet members, could directly speak to their electorate.

Conclusion -How Iranian Internet Crackdown Snags Businesses and What to Do Now?

In my view, it is obvious that Rouhani is not calling the shots. The theocrats are pulling the strings. And that’s another big reason why people have opted to be on the streets. This all has turned their lives upside down by people whom they can’t vote out of office. This leaves protests as the only way to likely influence change in such a political system. Unquestionably, it will not be the last effort at censorship by the oppressive theocracy. Nor is it likely Telegram will be the only future prey.

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