The phenomenon of internet filtering in Iran is far from new, with a history spanning nearly two decades. Internet restrictions are implemented in various countries for reasons ranging from internal security to external pressures. Governments worldwide apply varying degrees of censorship to filter the internet. Some nations, like China, North Korea, and Iran, enforce the strictest internet control systems, often prohibiting access to social media, political content, and other communication platforms, while closely monitoring users’ online activities. Other countries, such as Iraq, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, also impose significant restrictions, including blocking social media platforms and censoring political and social content. Even in many European and North American countries, inappropriate content such as pornography, hate speech, child exploitation, and certain information deemed against the public interest is subject to filtering.

Internet shutdowns or strict filtering not only undermine freedom of expression and privacy but are also considered blatant violations of human rights, with profound negative impacts on social, economic, and political development. According to international human rights standards, censorship of the press and internet filtering contradict the principle of freedom of expression. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights emphasizes the right of all citizens to free expression and access to information. Based on these principles, governmental policies should align with human rights values, such as ensuring access to information for all citizens, respecting privacy, and upholding freedom of expression. They must also conform to other international human rights standards.

Effective and inclusive policymaking for maintaining a safe and healthy digital space requires collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector. This approach can help safeguard the rights of marginalized groups to internet access, promote innovation, and encourage intellectual diversity. Such a framework ensures that national internet governance supports values of equality, innovation, and social justice, creating opportunities for collective progress.

In Iran, internet censorship has severely disrupted online businesses. Filtering policies targeting platforms like Instagram have resulted in millions of dollars in trade losses and left thousands of users unemployed. Estimates indicate that internet shutdowns inflicted approximately $1.5 billion in damages to the national economy and caused 900 billion tomans in losses to online businesses within the first three days alone. (1) Business owners are grappling with heavy costs to bypass restrictions, coupled with limitations in global communications, to sustain their operations.

While internet censorship in Iran is justified under various pretexts, in practice, it serves political objectives. Authorities have restricted VPNs, social media platforms, and many international websites while attempting to localize their digital infrastructure—a strategy akin to futile efforts. Sanctions have further exacerbated these limitations, restricting access to essential digital tools for users and businesses alike.

The Impact of Internet Filtering Policies on Women and Girls

Authoritarian filtering policies profoundly affect the lives of women and girls by significantly limiting their access to information, education, employment opportunities, women’s health issues, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence resources. These limitations hinder informed decision-making and restrict access to critical support systems. Additionally, they curtail access to online educational platforms—particularly those focused on women’s empowerment, gender studies, or rehabilitative ideas for women and girls.

One consequence of internet censorship is the suppression of women’s movements and the restriction of their websites and social media accounts. These measures often isolate activists and reduce their capacity to organize and raise global awareness about their struggles.

Internet filtering also creates economic and professional barriers for women who rely on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram to run their businesses. While cultural, economic, and legal factors significantly affect women’s participation in online entrepreneurship, these restrictions further diminish women’s economic participation and their ability to achieve financial independence.

Increased vulnerability to online harassment is another consequence of filtering for women. When censorship prevents women from reporting or openly discussing online harassment, they become more susceptible to abuse. This issue is particularly pronounced in South and West Asian Muslim-majority countries, including Iran. Internet censorship and filtering also limit women’s ability to connect with online communities and support networks, isolating them from others facing similar challenges. Moreover, these restrictions reinforce traditional gender roles by curbing access to diverse perspectives and promoting biased information.

If mandatory hijab has been the Achilles’ heel of the Iranian government over the past 45 years, today, internet filtering policies have become an uncontrollable issue for the Islamic Republic. Iranian citizens—particularly women—are at the forefront of a power struggle with the government over internet filtering and compulsory hijab. In the midst of widespread economic, political, social, and environmental crises, the government enforces the Hijab and Chastity Law, which, as Parvaneh Salahshouri notes, has been “suspended as a bargaining tool for lifting internet filtering.” (2)

Everyday realities in Iran present numerous examples of this ongoing battle, now etched into the country’s history. The Hijab and Chastity Law, opposed even by some officials and clerics who prioritize preserving the regime, resembles a broken key that opens no doors for those in power. Similarly, internet censorship is an issue that many businesses have managed to circumvent. Yet, the true harm of such restrictions disproportionately affects women and marginalized groups, from border regions to urban centers.

References

1. “Internet Shutdowns Inflict $1.5 Billion in Damages,” Tejarat News, November 20, 2019.
2. “Hijab Law Suspended as a Bargaining Tool for Lifting Internet Filtering,” Sharq Network, December 21, 2024 (30 Azar 1403).