Iran to criminalize sale of VPNs used to skirt internet restrictions

Islamic Republic drastically curtailed access to social media platforms as it grapples with protests over the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest for alleged dress code violation

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran is planning to criminalize the sale of virtual private networks (VPNs) used to skirt internet restrictions, a minister said on Wednesday, amid protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.

The Islamic Republic has imposed drastic restrictions on internet access as it grapples with demonstrations that flared over the death of the 22-year-old after her arrest for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code for women.

The street violence has led to dozens of deaths, mostly among protesters but also among the security forces, and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested.

“Selling anti-filtering tools is unauthorized, but unfortunately it has not been criminalized. Efforts are being made to criminalize this issue,” said Telecommunications Minister Issa Zarepour.

“It is not in the field of my duties and naturally relevant institutions should follow this up,” he said on state television after a cabinet meeting.

Iranian media outlets reported last year that lawmakers were working on a draft bill that could further restrict internet access.

The bill calls for “organizing social media” and the banning of VPN software used widely to bypass internet restrictions and blocks imposed on social media platforms, Etemad newspaper wrote in June 2021.

A motorcycle of Basic, Iranian paramilitary militia, is set on fire during a protest after a 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini’s death when she was detained by the morality police, in Tehran, October 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Middle East Images)

The text also calls for jail terms for anyone found guilty of violating the terms of the bill if it becomes law, according to the reformist daily.

Internet users had expressed concern over the draft bill proposed by some conservative lawmakers, who have had a parliamentary majority since 2020.

The recently imposed restrictions include blocking access to Instagram and WhatsApp — until now the last remaining unfiltered social media services, in addition to clamping down on apps like the Google Play Store, as well as VPNs.

Zarepour cautioned Iranians against using anti-filtering software as they risk causing “vulnerabilities” on the devices.

“The use of the so-called anti-filtering tools or VPNs for devices such as laptops, computers, and mobile phones will definitely lead to serious vulnerabilities because it facilitates hackers’ access,” he said.

“As an expert, I recommend the dear people not to use these tools as much as possible,” he added.

Zarepour was slapped with sanctions for overseeing internet curbs by the European Union on Monday in a foreign ministerial meeting in Luxemburg.