Iran criminalizes Internet encryption, VPN use

Iranian Internet users will no longer be able to have private Internet conversations thanks to a government mandate that all of its service providers ban the use of encryption or VPNs. This means that citizens will no longer be able to have private conversations over the Internet.

A similar measure was introduced in Pakistan, where government leaders say the new law was enacted for "security reasons" and to "stop militants" from conducting violent acts.

However, it's clear that Iran's edict is really nothing more than a way the government can monitor its citizens' online activity.

Using a VPN or any other technology to get around the government's filters is now considered a criminal offense.

Iran's Telecommunications Minister Reza Taghipour said that the new law has been put in place to battle what he calls a "soft war" that Western countries have launched against Iran.

For more:
- techdirt has this article

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