Filtering in Iran: The North Korean Path or the Chinese Dream
Filtering in Iran: The North Korean Path or the Chinese Dream
Internet filtering in Iran has become one of the serious economic, social, and political challenges. This policy has not only limited people’s communications but has also deeply impacted the digital economy and daily life. However, to what extent is this approach comparable to similar policies in other countries such as China, Russia, and North Korea?
China: Limited Internet but with Strong Domestic Infrastructure
Since the 1990s, China has implemented strict internet control policies with the launch of the Great Firewall of China.
The country has blocked access to many foreign platforms like Google, Facebook, and YouTube, and has developed domestic alternatives like WeChat and Baidu.
However, the key difference is China’s strong technology infrastructure. The country has not only been able to provide effective alternatives to international platforms but has also grown its digital economy through massive investments in artificial intelligence and technology.
Russia: Control in Contrast to Apparent Freedom
Since 2012, Russia began controlling the internet by passing strict laws. The government has used systems like the independent internet system RuNet to monitor data and censor content.
However, unlike China, many Western platforms are still active in Russia, though under strict surveillance. Russia’s conflicts with tech giants like Google and Meta have often led to sanctions and hefty fines.
North Korea: Complete Disconnection from the World
In North Korea, global internet access is completely cut off. Only a very limited group of government officials have internet access, and ordinary people are only connected to a domestic network known as Kwangmyong.
This policy might be the strictest form of filtering, but its cost for North Korea has been complete disconnection from the global economy and modern technologies.
Iran: Neither Alternatives nor Independence
Compared to the three mentioned countries, Iran is in a contradictory middle path. Since 2009, filtering policies in Iran intensified, starting with the blocking of popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
This trend continued in recent years with widespread restrictions on Instagram and WhatsApp.
Unlike China, Iran has not provided any reliable alternatives for the blocked platforms.
Domestic messengers like Rubika and Ita have faced limited reception, and due to security concerns and low quality, people have little trust in these platforms.
Difference in Economic Impacts
China and even Russia have managed to develop their digital economies despite restrictive policies, but in Iran, filtering has directly harmed online businesses and startups.
According to reports, after Instagram filtering, at least 40% of small businesses active on this platform faced a sharp decline in revenue.
Public Reaction: Resistance or Isolation
In China, people have largely adapted to domestic platforms.
But in Iran, public resistance to filtering is evident through widespread use of filter-bypassing tools like VPNs and proxies.
According to unofficial statistics, over 80% of Iranian users use these tools to access free internet.
Conclusion: A Policy Without Direction
Unlike China and Russia, filtering in Iran has neither led to digital independence nor provided efficient alternative infrastructures. This policy has mostly led to economic and social isolation of the people and psychological pressure on society.
One of the promises of President Raisi’s administration was to lift the filtering, which has not been fulfilled so far. Additionally, in recent days, some officials have again talked about tiered internet and determining access levels for different groups.