Iran to criminalize sale of VPNs used to skirt internet restrictions - The Times of Israel

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran is readying to criminalize the merchantability of virtual backstage networks (VPNs) utilized to skirt net restrictions, a curate said connected Wednesday, amid protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.

The Islamic Republic has imposed drastic restrictions connected net entree arsenic it grapples with demonstrations that flared implicit the decease of the 22-year-old aft her apprehension for allegedly violating the country’s strict formal codification for women.

The thoroughfare unit has led to dozens of deaths, mostly among protesters but besides among the information forces, and hundreds of demonstrators person been arrested.

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

“It is not successful the tract of my duties and people applicable institutions should travel this up,” helium said connected authorities tv aft a furniture meeting.

Iranian media outlets reported past twelvemonth that lawmakers were moving connected a draught measure that could further restrict net access.

The measure calls for “organizing societal media” and the banning of VPN bundle utilized wide to bypass net restrictions and blocks imposed connected societal media platforms, Etemad paper wrote successful June 2021.

The substance besides calls for jailhouse presumption for anyone recovered blameworthy of violating the presumption of the measure if it becomes law, according to the reformist daily.

Internet users had expressed interest implicit the draught measure projected by immoderate blimpish lawmakers, who person had a parliamentary bulk since 2020.

The precocious imposed restrictions see blocking entree to Instagram and WhatsApp — until present the past remaining unfiltered societal media services, successful summation to clamping down connected apps similar the Google Play Store, arsenic good arsenic VPNs.

Zarepour cautioned Iranians against utilizing anti-filtering bundle arsenic they hazard causing “vulnerabilities” connected the devices.

“The usage of the alleged anti-filtering tools oregon VPNs for devices specified arsenic laptops, computers, and mobile phones volition decidedly pb to superior vulnerabilities due to the fact that it facilitates hackers’ access,” helium said.

“As an expert, I urge the beloved radical not to usage these tools arsenic overmuch arsenic possible,” helium added.

Zarepour was slapped with sanctions for overseeing net curbs by the European Union connected Monday successful a overseas ministerial gathering successful Luxemburg.