Digital Repression and the Future of Civil Resistance in Iran
The paradigmatic shift in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s digital governance between 2024 and 2026 indicates a transition from “reactive censorship” to “structural and preemptive authoritarianism.” This process, designed to achieve “absolute cyber sovereignty,” has moved beyond simple website blocking toward redesigning the National Information Network (NIN) architecture and leveraging Artificial Intelligence for biometric surveillance. In this framework, the internet is no longer defined as a public utility, but as a state privilege where access is classified based on social standing, political loyalty, and security imperatives. This policy document examines the technical, legal, economic, and social dimensions of this transformation and offers strategies for resistance.
