Is Iran Going To Dump the Web and Launch Its Own National Internet?

Iran isn’t a nation known for its liberal outlook on…. anything. So maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the country may soon pull out of the Internet and launch its own national network instead.

Iran is clamping down heavily on web users before parliamentary elections in March with draconian rules on cybercafes and preparations to launch a national internet.

Tests for a countrywide network aimed at substituting services run through the world wide web have been carried out by Iran’s ministry of information and communication technology, according to a newspaper report. The move has prompted fears among its online community that Iran intends to withdraw from the global internet.

The police this week imposed tighter regulations on internet cafes. Cafe owners have been given a two-week ultimatum to adopt rules requiring them to check the identity cards of their customers before providing services.

“Internet cafes are required to write down the forename, surname, name of the father, national identification number, postcode and telephone number of each customer,” said an Iranian police statement, according to the news website Tabnak.

Not only are they considering pulling the plug on the entire internet but they want to start their own national service to censor and monitor its on citizens. What type of oppressive mess is that?? They are regulating something serious over there SMH

SOURCE