The Iranian Supreme Council of Cyberspace has criminalized the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) without a legal license, marking a significant escalation in restrictions on online access within the country, where internet filtering is already prevalent.
The purchase and sale of VPNs were previously made illegal in Iran.
The new resolution expands the ban to encompass their actual use, requiring individuals to obtain a special license for accessing filtered websites and social media networks.
A seven-person working group has been established to monitor the status of VPN usage and report its findings to the Supreme Council of Cyberspace.
Legal experts like Ali Mojtahedzadeh have challenged the Supreme Council of Cyberspace's authority to enact such legislation.
Mojtahedzadeh argued that the council oversteps its mandate and "criminalizes 80 million Iranians," including "top officials" who may rely on VPNs to access the internet.
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