Iran is 10 days into one of the most extreme internet shutdowns in history, with 92 million citizens cut off from all internet services and even disruption to phone and text messaging.
The Iranian government cut off services on 8 January, apparently to stifle dissent and prevent international scrutiny of a government crackdown on protesters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the internet was cut off in response to what he described as externally directed terrorist operations.
The government has not said when internet services will return, but new reports suggest that, behind the scenes, the authorities may be making plans to restrict it permanently.
On 15 January, the news website IranWire reported that government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told journalists that international web access will not be available until at least the Iranian New Year in late March.
Internet freedom observers at FilterWatch believe the government is hastily implementing new systems and rules to cut Iran off from the international internet.
There should be no expectation of reopening international internet access, and even afterwards, users' access to international internet will never return to its previous form, FilterWatch said, citing unnamed government sources.
While the BBC cannot independently verify this report or the timing of its implementation, journalists who spoke to BBC Persian also said they were told that internet access would not be restored anytime soon.
Iran has maintained a tight grip over the internet for many years, with most western social media apps and platforms blocked, as well as external news websites like BBC News.
However, many people have managed to access popular apps such as Instagram using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Internet freedom campaigners at Access Now say Iran has consistently used shutdowns as a way to mask mass violence and brutal crackdowns on protesters, as seen during the nationwide internet shutdowns during the November 2019 and September 2022 protests.
Reports indicate that the shutdown is affecting livelihoods in Iran, particularly in e-commerce. By January 18, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimated over 3,300 confirmed protester deaths due to police actions, alongside over 24,000 arrests across 187 cities.
The implications of this blackout reach beyond mere internet access. Activists warn that restricting access to essential services endangers lives and enables authorities to evade accountability for human rights abuses.
If Iran goes ahead with the plans being reported on, it will be following similar systems in Russia and China. Such a move combines strategies from both nations to enforce stringent control over digital communications and dissemination of information.
In conclusion, while the immediate future for internet freedom in Iran looks bleak, ongoing technological advancements could eventually challenge governmental controls, keeping alive the hope for a truly connected world.
