Iranian Authorities Restrict Digital Services to Suppress Public Dissent
Cutting off mobile lines and electronic services curtails essential economic activity to punish citizens who speak out against the government.
Iranian authorities have disconnected mobile SIM cards and blocked electronic banking services for citizens who publish critical comments online, several affected Iranians told Deutsche Welle. The measures targeted journalists, political dissidents, and ordinary social media users across the country. The state introduced the restrictions without formal trials or transparent judicial orders.
Individuals reported that state agencies deactivated their mobile lines after they posted criticism on platforms such as Instagram and X. In several instances, users received automated text messages stating that artificial intelligence systems had identified hostile online behavior. The state telecommunications operators carried out the deactivations under directives from prosecutors, the national cyber police, and intelligence units.
Losing a mobile number creates wide financial barriers in Iran. Most domestic banks and state portals require two-factor authentication codes delivered directly to a registered SIM card. Affected citizens said the deactivations barred them from online bank transfers, purchasing daily necessities, and using local ride-hailing services.
To restore their digital access, authorities summoned targeted individuals to government offices and police stations. Interrogators required citizens to delete critical online posts and sign written pledges promising to halt political activism. In several cases, officials demanded that users publish statements that expressed support for the state before they would approve reactivation.
Human rights advocates and legal professionals stated that shutting down services without a court ruling violates Iranian law and international civil liberties standards. They said the tactic enables state agencies to enforce punishment without following courtroom procedures or offering the right to appeal.
Affected residents and domestic civil rights groups have filed formal inquiries with the national telecommunications agency to demand answers regarding the ongoing service cancellations.
