Filtering Committee Member: Until Filtered Social Networks Comply with Our Laws, We Cannot Allow Them to Operate

Bagheri stated that as long as we do not see that the other party is complying with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we cannot allow them to operate.

According to IDEA, Mehdi Bagheri, a supervising member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly in the committee for defining the criteria of cybercrime content, emphasized, in response to the question of how long the restrictions on access to some social networks will continue, that: ‘The same reasons that led to the restrictions are still in place; therefore, as long as we do not see the other party complying with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we cannot allow them to operate.

Bagheri also stated that in the field of startup activities and virtual space platforms, there will definitely be a response to any platform or business that engages in behavior that creates insecurity for other businesses in this space and disrupts their operations. However, under no circumstances will platforms that are legally operating be harassed by the government, parliament, or authorities.

Bagheri also commented on some individuals’ requests to disqualify certain virtual space platforms and transfer their management, saying, ‘First, I don’t understand this statement; based on what law has this been raised? Which governmental body, such as judicial authorities or decision-makers in the system, has addressed this issue and taken action? Surely the discussions in this regard have been expressed according to the personal opinion of the speaker.’

This parliament member continued by stating, ‘It is a great tragedy to punish Iranians and tell foreigners that they are free. This is a gross injustice to Iranian operators in the virtual space domain, who must adhere to the laws. If they wish to deviate slightly from this framework, lawmakers and law enforcement will immediately hold them accountable. However, a foreign entity operates freely, disregards any laws, and faces no consequences.’

Bagheri concluded, ‘The removal of restrictions on access to certain social networks depends on these networks themselves; anytime they comply with Iranian law, the restrictions will be lifted. Our demand is the implementation of the law, and just as we cannot allow an Iranian citizen to violate the law, the same conditions apply to foreigners.’