Homepage
Open in app
Sign in
Get started
Filterwatch
Monitoring online censorship and internet policy in Iran
Follow
Latest Update
Filterwatch Has A New Home!
Filterwatch Has A New Home!
Don’t disconnect. Filterwatch is now available in English and Persian at its new online home.
Small Media
Nov 10, 2020
Welcome to Filterwatch
Resisting Information Controls in Iran in 2020 and Beyond
Resisting Information Controls in Iran in 2020 and Beyond
As Iran’s information control infrastructure expands, so must the methods for resisting it. Here’s what we have planned.
Small Media
Jan 29, 2020
Introducing Filterwatch’s Network Monitor
Introducing Filterwatch’s Network Monitor
Filterwatch’s new monthly Network Monitor will report on the state of the internet in Iran and and help make sense of any disruptions.
Small Media
Feb 4, 2020
Introducing FATAwatch and the Judiciary Monitor
Introducing FATAwatch and the Judiciary Monitor
Iran’s security forces and judiciary undermine human rights online for all Iranians. Our regular reports will hold them to account.
Small Media
Mar 18, 2020
Our Work
Data Insecurity On Iran’s Localised Internet
Data Insecurity On Iran’s Localised Internet
With yet another data leak, Iran’s need for adequate data protection frameworks is clear. We explore how the National Information Network…
Melody Kazemi
Jun 19, 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — May 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — May 2020
Another month without the Supreme Council for Cyberspace meeting as Iran’s Interior Minister took responsibility for the November 2019…
Melody Kazemi
Jun 19, 2020
Network Monitor — May 2020
Network Monitor — May 2020
Internet disruptions returned to Iran this month, including a lengthy regional shutdown, and brief nationwide outages.
Amir Rashidi
Jun 5, 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — April 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — April 2020
This month, new details on legal VPNs emerge, and the Education Ministry rolls out a new e-learning app.
Melody Kazemi
May 14, 2020
Network Monitor — April 2020
Network Monitor — April 2020
Iranians saw a month almost entirely free from internet disruptions, but filtering and sanctions still frustrate access to key tools.
Amir Rashidi
May 12, 2020
Iran’s Self-Isolated Internet Is Ill-Equipped To Confront COVID-19
Iran’s Self-Isolated Internet Is Ill-Equipped To Confront COVID-19
As states turn to tech to help track and contain the pandemic, Iran’s poor record on privacy and data protection is holding it back.
Kaveh Azarhoosh
May 1, 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — March 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — March 2020
Privacy concerns raised over Iran’s COVID19 app as links to developer behind recent data leaks revealed. Our March report has the latest…
Melody Kazemi
Apr 23, 2020
Network Monitor — March 2020
Network Monitor — March 2020
As Iran continues to battle against COVID-19, increased internet usage is putting a real strain on the country’s digital infrastructure.
Amir Rashidi
Apr 3, 2020
Iran’s “Managing Social Messaging Apps” Bill Returns to Parliament
Iran’s “Managing Social Messaging Apps” Bill Returns to Parliament
The “Managing Social Messaging Apps” bill could heavily diminish digital rights in Iran. We explain how and why it should be resisted.
Melody Kazemi
Apr 1, 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — February 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — February 2020
As Iran battles against the rapid spread of COVID-19, censorship and sanctions continue to limit Iranians’ access to crucial information.
Melody Kazemi
Mar 20, 2020
Filterwatch Network Monitor — February 2020
Filterwatch Network Monitor — February 2020
In February, Iran appeared to be rolling out some key new pieces of ICT infrastructure. What were the effects on users’ access?
Amir Rashidi
Mar 6, 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — January 2020
Filterwatch Policy Monitor — January 2020
Internet disruptions returned during Iran’s January protests, and new legislation regulating messaging apps returned to Parliament.
Small Media
Feb 24, 2020
Filterwatch Network Monitor — January 2020
Filterwatch Network Monitor — January 2020
As dissent flared in the aftermath of the IRGC’s downing of Ukraine International Flight 752, internet disruptions in Iran were seen again.
Kaveh Azarhoosh
Jan 15, 2020
Filterwatch — December 2019
Filterwatch — December 2019
In December, a draft bill proposes new rules on internet shutdowns and the Supreme Council for Cyberspace hands ICT Ministry a new…
Melody Kazemi
Jan 14, 2020
Filterwatch — November 2019
Filterwatch — November 2019
This November, Iran endured a near-total internet shutdown for almost ten days. In this edition of Filterwatch we document the response.
Melody Kazemi
Dec 10, 2019
Iran Shutdown Monitor Liveblog
Iran Shutdown Monitor Liveblog
Iran is experiencing a near-total internet shutdown. This blog documents the blackout, and its effects on ongoing nationwide protests.
Small Media
Nov 19, 2019
Filterwatch — October 2019
Filterwatch — October 2019
Filterwatch assesses Iran’s worrying new plans for citizens’ online ID, as well as its ongoing crackdown on online influencers.
James Marchant
Nov 15, 2019
FATAwatch//03— Iranian Cyber Police Monitoring
FATAwatch//03— Iranian Cyber Police Monitoring
Iran’s Cyber Police have continued to crack down on Insta celebs and online ‘disinformation’, while massively expanding their operations.
James Marchant
Nov 8, 2019
Filterwatch — September 2019
Filterwatch — September 2019
Iran’s ICT Minister faced criticism over meddling in appointments and stretching stats, yet managed to survive his parliamentary grilling.
James Marchant
Oct 18, 2019
Filterwatch — August 2019
Filterwatch — August 2019
This month, the Filtering Committee hints at a shift in filtering strategy, and the ICT Ministry rolls out major new rural investments.
James Marchant
Oct 10, 2019
Is “Layered Filtering” the Future of Iran’s National Information Network?
Is “Layered Filtering” the Future of Iran’s National Information Network?
Iran’s ICT Minister has hinted at constructing a flexible new filtering apparatus in the months and years ahead. How worried should we be?
Kaveh Azarhoosh
Oct 3, 2019
FATAwatch//02 — Iranian Cyber Police Monitoring
FATAwatch//02 — Iranian Cyber Police Monitoring
In this report, we document activities of Iran’s Cyber Police (FATA) in the second quarter of 2019. Our findings show that FATA’s…
Kaveh Azarhoosh
Sep 12, 2019
Filterwatch — July 2019
Filterwatch — July 2019
Iran steps up its localisation of digital services and infrastructure, as mysterious network disruptions cause frustration for users.
James Marchant
Aug 29, 2019
Filterwatch — June 2019
Filterwatch — June 2019
As tensions rise between the US and Iran, cyber-attacks are again on the agenda — as well as more interventions by the Iranian judiciary.
James Marchant
Jul 31, 2019
About Filterwatch
Latest Stories
Archive
About Medium
Terms
Privacy
Teams