Internet

October 9, 2013
Pay no attention to the executions behind the curtain
October 9, 2013
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#Iran — Has the Time Come for a Thaw in Relations with Its Own People?

Pay no attention to the executions behind the curtainArseh Sevom -- In this week's overview, we learn that the short term political aims of sanctions have long term effects on the most vulnerable. Improved relations may actually lead to some ease in US sanctions. This would most likely only sanctions that are the result of executive orders. Sanctions signed into law by the US congress are unlikely to be changed. Over 100 tons of illegal drugs were seized in Tehran. We are not talking about recreational drugs here, many of them were difficult to find treatments. In a carnival-like atmosphere, the Iranian military destroyed equipment for over 800 satellite connections with tanks and bulldozers. Despite the kinder, gentler face Iran is showing the world, executions continue at a record rate and Internet freedom is at an all-time low. Will the Iranian government start thawing relations with its own population next?
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May 8, 2013
May 8, 2013
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Iran: Election Fever and Workers Protest

Arseh Sevom -- The elections are coming, which means candidates are finally registering, the internet is slowing, and paranoia is high. In the latest crackdown, dogs walked in public are being confiscated. Iran hasn’t budged on the press freedom index, hanging on to its spot as one of the six worst countries in the world. Workers refuse to let May Day go unnoticed: they celebrate, strike, and protest poor wages and even worse conditions. Ten political prisoners in Evin were transferred to solitary confinement, while permits have been issued for mining in protected natural areas.
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February 14, 2012
February 14, 2012
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Breaking and Bending Censorship with Walid Al-Saqaf

Arseh Sevom --- Reports from the Islamic Republic of Iran about internet speeds, work to create a parallel cyber Iran, and the growing success of filtering systems paint a picture of desperate efforts to exert control over the population. Iran is not alone in its efforts. North Korea has their own "intranet" called Kwang Myong ("light" or "hope, fair, just, open"). The North Korean version duplicates external content it deems acceptable. Iran's new closed intranet is expected to do the same, in a cyber version of what the state already does in traditional media by cherry-picking content from international sources and editing or translating it in ways that often distort the original meaning.
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February 13, 2012
February 13, 2012
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Controlling the Internet by Creating a Parallel Cyber Iran

ARSEH SEVOM --- The anniversary of the fall of the Shah and the success of the revolution (February 11) is now marked by decreased internet connection speed, increased security, and fears of demonstrations in Iran.In addition to decreased bandwidth, the Islamic Republic is in the process of creating a parallel cyber-world. Instead of spending time and energy filtering sites using a blacklist, the regime is creating a "whitelist" of acceptable sites. Everything is blocked except sites deemed appropriate by the regime. It's a kind of "shoot first, ask questions later" policy. Instead of the "old" Orkut — an early social media site which was a hit in Iran before it was filtered — and the "new" Facebook, they offer websites such as www.cloob.com. Instead of Youtube (for video uploading) they offer www.aparat.com and instead of Google’s Blogspot they have www.Mihanblog.com. Even these sites can end up filtered at "sensitive" times, such as the days leading up to the anniversary of the revolution. In addition, content that does not meet their terms of use is quickly deleted from view.
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May 30, 2011
May 30, 2011
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A ‘Halal’ Internet

The Wall Street Journal and other sources are reporting on the government of Iran's plans to create its own internet. The regime already controls the speed of its internet, keeping it artificially low. Since 2005, they have also been planning to create a closed internet, a la China and other repressive governments, with content controlled by various ministries and with separate e-commerce access.Current head of economic affairs in Iran, Ali Aghamohammadi says:“We can describe it as a genuinely ‘halal’ network aimed at Muslims on a ethical and moral level.”Read the full post.
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