THE GUARDIAN: Report claims unrestricted online access will be a ‘government privilege’, limited to individuals vetted by regime
Iran is planning to permanently break from the global internet, only allowing individuals vetted by the regime to connect online, according to Iranian digital rights activists.
“A confidential plan is under way to turn international internet access into a ‘governmental privilege’,” according to a report from Filterwatch, an organisation monitoring Iran’s internet censorship, citing a number of sources in Iran.
“State media and government spokespersons have already signaled that this is a permanent shift, warning that unrestricted access will not return after 2026.”
Under the plan, Iranians who had security clearance or passed government checks would have access to a filtered version of the global internet, said Amir Rashidi, the leader of Filterwatch. All other Iranians would be allowed to access only the national internet: a domestic, parallel internet cut off from the broader world. » | Aisha Down | Saturday, January 17, 2026
