Recent studies on the presence of Iranians in cyberspace and the web indicate that currently, 87% of the people in Iran use mobile phones to access the internet and social networks, spending an average of 169 minutes daily online. The website 'YektaNet' reported that the extensive filtering of social networks since last year has had no impact on people's access to the internet and use of cyberspace; instead, it has significantly increased the statistics of purchasing and using VPNs. According to YektaNet's statistics, 80% of Iranian users across various age groups use VPNs to access social networks and messaging apps, which not only reflects the high willingness of people to use filtered platforms but also indicates the emergence of a market worth 25 to 30 trillion tomans in this area. Additionally, the report mentions that the use of VPNs among users aged 15 to 17 is 97%, and the usage rate among elementary school students is 63%, which could indicate another cultural and social harm caused by filtering. Based on YektaNet's studies in 2022, internet usage in Iran has become intertwined with people's lifestyles, and the use of smartphones has become widespread. According to this website, 66% of Iranians refer to cyberspace for information and news, and 65% of them engage in online shopping. The report states that posts from Iranian channels on the filtered messaging app Telegram were viewed 590 billion times in 2022, and 660 million posts were published in public Persian Telegram channels. The growing trend of Iranian users on Instagram also shows that the number of personal pages in Persian Instagram increased from 36 million in 2021 to over 41 million in 2022, and the number of public pages on this filtered platform has reached over six million. Since the beginning of the widespread protests in Iran in late September 2022, the Islamic Republic has filtered many social media and foreign messaging apps, among which the two popular applications WhatsApp and Instagram remain filtered. In previous years, Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube were also filtered and inaccessible to users. On June 27, 2023, Ali Khamenei emphasized his long-standing demand for limiting and filtering cyberspace during a meeting with judges and judicial staff and called for the judiciary to take action against those who reflect current news and events in Iran in both virtual and non-virtual spaces.
Filtering: 'Fruitless but Profitable'; 80% of Iranians Use VPNs
A recent report reveals that 80% of Iranians use VPNs to bypass internet filtering, which has not deterred online activity but has instead created a significant market for VPN services. The Islamic Republic's ongoing censorship efforts have failed to curb internet usage, with many citizens relying on mobile devices for access. This situation highlights the resilience of the Iranian populace in the face of governmental restrictions.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A report shows that 80% of Iranians use VPNs to bypass government-imposed internet filters, creating a substantial market for these services. Despite censorship, internet usage remains high, with significant reliance on mobile devices.
- 80% of Iranian internet users employ VPNs to access filtered content.
- The VPN market in Iran is valued at 25 to 30 trillion tomans.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a long history of internet censorship, with major platforms like Telegram, Facebook, and Twitter being filtered. The government aims to control information flow, especially during periods of unrest.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%