71% of Iranians Use VPNs to Access the Internet
WANA (Jun 10) – The latest annual report from Dataak (2024–25) offers a revealing yet contradictory snapshot of Iran’s digital life and internet landscape.
According to the report, 71.3% of Iranians rely on VPNs to bypass internet restrictions—an indicator that filtered access has become the dominant mode of online experience in the country.
On one hand, Iran shows signs of a highly connected and active society, with 85% internet penetration and 82% of the population present on social media platforms.
The Shadow Economy of VPNs in Iran
WANA (Jan 05) – In recent years, extensive internet filtering in Iran has profoundly altered not only user behavior but also the information technology market. One of the most significant outcomes of these policies has been the explosive growth of the VPN market and unprecedented profits for sellers of these tools, with far-reaching economic, social, […]
On the other hand, the quality of digital infrastructure is reportedly deteriorating, internet costs are on the rise, and Iran’s global ranking in internet performance is in decline.
The report paints a picture of a digitally vibrant society struggling within an increasingly restricted and fragile internet ecosystem.
In a notable development, the report estimates that over 100,000 Iranians—equivalent to the full capacity of Tehran’s Azadi Stadium—are now using Starlink satellite internet, underscoring the growing demand for alternatives to the national internet network.
The figure reflects a broader effort by users to circumvent censorship and escape the declining quality of domestic internet services.
An Iranian woman using vpn. Social media/ WANA News Agency
