WANA (Jan 22) – According to field reports, following severe restrictions on access to the international internet, a complex and high-risk black market has emerged in Iran. This phenomenon, moving beyond a mere technical issue, signifies the formation of a deep digital divide and the institutionalisation of structural injustice in access to information, which stands in contrast to the primary ideals of the Islamic Revolution.

 

1. Components of the Black Market and Its Mechanisms

The black market of the internet primarily revolves around two axes:

 

Illegal Digital Services: The sale of VPN configurations and proxies at exorbitant prices (sometimes up to 15 million Tomans for a single configuration, with an approximate free-market USD rate of 140,000 Tomans, which equals $107) and payments made in foreign currency.

 

Smuggled Physical Goods: The buying and selling of foreign SIM cards (Iraqi, Afghan) at staggering prices (up to 30 million Tomans in cities far from the border, with an approximate free-market USD rate of 140,000 Tomans, which equals $214), as well as Starlink internet equipment.

 

The demand for this market stems from the urgent need of businesses, students, and the general public to connect with the outside world for work and education.

 

The dangers of this market include widespread fraud (scams), a lack of transparency regarding the source of services (which can lead to espionage), and security and financial risks for buyers.

 

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, […]

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2. Macro Consequences and Challenges

A) National Security and Economic Threats

Risk of Infiltration: The use of anonymous tools exposes users and even infrastructure to espionage and vulnerabilities.

 

Capital Flight: Payments in Dollars and cryptocurrencies fuel the informal outflow of foreign currency from the country.

 

Weakening Production: The energy and capital of society are spent on accessing a basic service instead of being directed toward productive activities.

 

B) The Emergence of “Class-Based Internet” and the Violation of Social Justice Ideals

This crisis signals steps toward a regulated, class-based access system, which is in direct contradiction with the ideals of the Islamic Revolution regarding the defence of the lower classes of society:

 

The First Class (Authorised): Primarily the governing elite and certain specific institutions that have secure and authorised access to the global network through “White Internet” or special permits.

 

The Second Class (Middle Class and Financially Capable): Citizens who utilise the black market by paying exorbitant costs (ranging from about $11 to $214 for a foreign SIM card) and enduring the risk of fraud. For an average household with a limited monthly income, these expenses transform internet access into a luxury good.

 

The Third Class (The Deprived and Low-Income): The majority who have neither access to permits nor the financial ability to pay the black market prices. This segment is completely excluded from the flow of information and global opportunities.

 

This three-tier stratification violates social justice, as a central ideal of the Revolution. Digital deprivation means deprivation of education, job opportunities, trade, and communication; it reproduces and deepens the existing class divide.

 

Starlink in Iran: Digital Revolution or Sovereignty Violation?

WANA (Feb 03) – Due to government filtering, the restrictions and bans on access to certain apps and websites, such as YouTube, Telegram, and Instagram, have frustrated many Iranians.   As a result, many users have turned to purchasing VPNs to bypass these limitations. However, the demand for unrestricted access and the desire to use […]

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3. Conclusion

Contradiction with ideals and the necessity for revision, current restrictive policies have not only failed to achieve the high goals of cyberspace security but have created counterproductive results:

 

1. A high-risk underground economy instead of a healthy digital economy.

2. A class-based digital divide instead of social justice.

3. Technological isolation of the country instead of independence and self-reliance.

 

The conclusion is that the formation of a black market and a “class-based internet” demonstrates that policies based on maximum restriction are inefficient. This trend has clearly distanced itself from the primary ideals of the Islamic Revolution—seeking justice, supporting the deprived, and national progress—and the cost is being paid by the low-income and middle-class segments of society.

 

Resolving this crisis requires a fundamental revision of the cyberspace governance approach, prioritising fair and secure access for all members of the nation.