By what right have you restricted people’s access to the internet?

In an open session on Wednesday, August 24, the representative of the people from Chabahar, Nikshahr, Konarak, and Qasr-e Qand addressed the issue of internet filtering and the financial circulation of VPNs.

According to IDEA, Mo’in al-Din Saeedi, in part of his statements addressed to the President, said: “Internet filtering is in complete contradiction with the principles of the Constitution and your election promises. When both you and we have an active presence on all platforms, by what right have you restricted people’s access? Truly, what relation does the financial circulation of 50 trillion tomans worth of VPNs have with the income of filter vendors?”

Saeedi also addressed the members of the parliament, saying: “Dear colleagues, remember that we are the representatives of the people, not their judges.”

He had previously made verbal remarks, stating that the 50 trillion toman financial circulation of VPNs is an injustice to the people.


A day before Saeedi’s criticism of the restriction of people’s access to the virtual space, another representative demanded stricter control over the virtual space. Yesterday, a representative from Malat, referred to the virtual space as a place without supervision that has attacked the spiritual belief, conviction, and mental security of the society.

The members of the 11th parliament place great emphasis on internet filtering and management of the virtual space, with few dissenting voices among them. Since its inception, this parliament has demonstrated its intention to control the internet through initiatives like the Preservation of the Virtual Space. They have also strengthened the power of the National Center for Cyberspace to further limit the virtual space. Recently, the 11th parliament approved the seventh development plan, which places the blocking and purification of active platforms in the virtual space under the responsibility of the National Center for Cyberspace.