The government of Iran has restored some access to the internet this week, after a lengthy blackout imposed on and off, for most of this year. Many Iranians are celebrating the move, which has allowed some people to contact friends and family members abroad for the first time in weeks. It could also be a lifeline for Iranians who depend on digital platforms to earn a living.
There is speculation that the move could be intended to show US President Donald Trump that the regime is willing to make some compromises at home.
But digital monitoring groups say the level of internet access is still poorer than it was before Tehran imposed its blackouts, first as a response to mass protests in January, and again at the start of the war with the US and Israel. Access to some sites is still blocked and analysts say two-factor authentication is not available in Iran, impeding many people’s access to platforms like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.
Reha Kansara, from the BBC’s Global Disinformation Unit, tells us what restrictions Iranians still face, how people are trying to get around them, and how this partial restoration of internet access could play into the ceasefire talks between Tehran and Washington.
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