Iran permits “key departments” to use anti-filtering software

ShahrzadNews: Several Iranian government departments have been given permission to use anti-filtering software on their computer systems after the regime’s filtering of Google and Gmail brought havoc to their online operations. Filtering came into effect in the last week of September, even though the regime’s much-vaunted “national internet and email” alternatives had yet to be introduced. When these were first announced three years ago, many commercial and private-users switched from Yahoo to Google, which was perceived to be immune to state control.

The ISNA news agency reports that “Many private enterprises and government agencies involved in providing sensitive and essential public services have been allowed to use VPN anti-filtering software.”

The news agency listed a large number of outlets that are exempt from state-filtering systems, including government ministries, banks and airlines.

Meanwhile the country’s justice ministry officials estimate that between 20 and 30% of Iranian internet users are equipped with some form of anti-filtering software. The head of the cyber police says anyone using such software illegally is liable to prosecution.

Those government agencies that have installed anti-filtering software on their systems are only allowed to use them during working hours, after which restrictions are once more imposed.