Stories about Iran
Learning About Lantern's Anti-Censorship Tools
GV Advox team members spoke with Adam Fisk, the founder and software developer behind Lantern, and Maryam Abolfazli, the Chief Operating Officer behind Lantern to learn more about their tools.
Social Media Analysis: How an Iranian Kurdish Woman's Death Triggered a Regional Social Media Conflict
Social media controversy following the accidental death of a hotel chambermaid underscored systemic discrimination ethnic minorities face in Iran and the emerging role of Internet censorship in this milieu.
Former TV Producer Mostafa Azizi Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison in Iran
Azizi, who had left for Canada, was arrested when he returned to be near his ailing father. He was convicted of “assembly and collusion against national security,” among other charges.
Iran Increases Internet Surveillance Ahead of Parliamentary Elections
Iran's Deputy Interior Minister Zolfaghari announces heightened security in anticipation of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
‘Writing Code Is Not a Crime': Jailed Iranian Web Developer Saeed Malekpour Turns 40
"It is not justice to keep a talented software engineer in jail just because the software he developed was used by others for reasons deemed illegal by the Iranian government."
Iran Sentences Atena Faraghdani to 12.5 Years for Cartoons
A Revolutionary Court in Tehran has sentenced artist and civil rights activist Atena Faraghdani to 12.5 years in prison for publishing on Facebook cartoons and criticisms of the government.
New Messaging App by Iran's Basij Militia Gives State Access to All Conversations
A new messaging application has been introduced in Iran by the Basij militia. The app will use servers owned and controlled by the Basij, allowing for easy access to and monitoring of all user conversations by the paramilitary group and intelligence agents.
Verdict Delayed in Detained Iranian Artist Atena Farghadani's Trial
Atena Farghadani was arrested over a cartoon she drew that depicts Iran's members of parliament as animals voting on law that will restrict access to contraception and criminalise voluntary sterilisation.
Atena Farghadani Goes on Trial Tomorrow in Iran for Her Cartoon About Access to Contraception
The cartoon that sparked her arrest depicts members of parliament as animals. She is charged with spreading propaganda against the system, insulting members of parliament and insulting the supreme leader.
Amid “Intelligent” Censorship Discussions, Iran Affirms Facebook Will Remain Blocked
Discussions regarding the implementation of “intelligent” filtering have proliferated Internet policy within Iran. “Intelligent” filtering is a process whereby they filter select content on a social media platform, rather than...
Selective Truths Revealed: The Case of Iranian Search Engines
Iranian authorities maintain that local search engines can compete with Google and other Western alternatives. A new study by Iran research group Small Media puts these claims to the test.
New Research: Iran is Using ‘Intelligent’ Censorship on Instagram
Political pages are accessible, but Justin Bieber and the Kardashians are blocked. Saddled with a censorship regime that is both exhaustive and ineffective, Iranian authorities are experimenting with “intelligent” filtering.
Iran's Leading Women's Magazine Suspended After Covering Cohabitation Outside of Marriage
Managing editor Shahla Sherkat says she's hopeful she can convince the court to allow publication to resume. Iran’s Press Oversight Committee suspended Zanan-e Emrooz, reportedly for writing about "white marriages."
Iran's Minister of ICT Suggests Instagram Will Not Be (Completely) Blocked Until an Alternative Is Found
Iran's leading reformist newspaper, Shargh, ran an article this past Sunday entitled: “The promises of the Minister of ICT to clear the problems of mobile social media.” The focus of...
Is Global Voices Blocked in Iran? Yes and No.
Globalvoicesonline.org is now blocked in Iran. But you can outsmart these Internet filters and access our site by adding "https://" to the beginning of the URL. What's up with that?
Iranian Television Producer Mostafa Azizi is Jailed in Iran's Evin Prison
Mostafa Azizi, an Iranian television producer and author, was arrested last month when he tried to repatriate to Iran from Canada.
Internet in Iran: Evaluating Rouhani’s First Two Years as President
Has Rouhani lived up to lofty expectations of more Internet freedom in Iran? This is the question Small Media's latest report seeks to address.
A Dialogue About Communication — Not Political Change — in Iran
Iran Internet experts gather to talk about how Iranians can easily access information communication technologies that connect Iranians to each other, and to the rest of the world.
Iran Wants to Befriend Google
Google is welcome in Iran, says a government official, as long as it respects 'cultural conditions'.
Iran Reacts to the Latest Snowden Leak on SIM Card Hacks
Iran's Minister of Information and Communication Technologies told Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency that he urges all state employees and ordinary Iranians to rely on their landlines for most communications.
