Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran continues
to expand and consolidate its technical filtering system, which is among
the most extensive in the world. A centralized system for Internet filtering
has been implemented that augments
the filtering conducted at the Internet
service provider (ISP) level. Iran now
employs domestically produced technology for identifying and blocking
objectionable Web sites, reducing its reliance on Western filtering technologies.
The regulatory agencies in Iran charged with policing the Internet continue to
expand. The Revolutionary Guard has begun to play an active role in enforcing
Internet content standards. In conjunction with expansive surveillance, this increase in regulatory attention exacerbates an online atmosphere that promotes
self-censorship and discourages dissenting views. The blocking of political Web
sites during the 2009 presidential elections energized opposition to Internet censorship within Iran and has brought fresh attention to the issue of press controls.
Background
Speech in the Islamic Republic of Iran is heavily regulated. The limits on freedom of
expression in Iran are grounded in the constitution, and speech restrictions extend
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
Filtering
No Evidence
of Filtering
Suspected
Filtering
Selective
Filtering
Substantial
Filtering
Pervasive
Filtering
Political
Social
Conflict and security
Internet tools
Other Factors
Low
Medium
High
Not
Applicable
Transparency
Consistency
The Islamic Republic of Iran continues
to expand and consolidate its technical filtering system, which is among
the most extensive in the world. A centralized system for Internet filtering
has been implemented that augments
the filtering conducted at the Internet
service provider (ISP) level. Iran now
employs domestically produced technology for identifying and blocking
objectionable Web sites, reducing its reliance on Western filtering technologies.
The regulatory agencies in Iran charged with policing the Internet continue to
expand. The Revolutionary Guard has begun to play an active role in enforcing
Internet content standards. In conjunction with expansive surveillance, this increase in regulatory attention exacerbates an online atmosphere that promotes
self-censorship and discourages dissenting views. The blocking of political Web
sites during the 2009 presidential elections energized opposition to Internet censorship within Iran and has brought fresh attention to the issue of press controls.
Background
Speech in the Islamic Republic of Iran is heavily regulated. The limits on freedom of
expression in Iran are grounded in the constitution, and speech restrictions extend
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
Filtering
No Evidence
of Filtering
Suspected
Filtering
Selective
Filtering
Substantial
Filtering
Pervasive
Filtering
Political
Social
Conflict and security
Internet tools
Other Factors
Low
Medium
High
Not
Applicable
Transparency
Consistency