'Class internet' fuels anger in blackout-hit Iran

Key Points:

• President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the formation of a special committee, led by First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, to restore broader access to the global internet in Iran after over two and a half months of severe restrictions.
• Despite this initiative, many Iranians remain skeptical about the government's ability to override powerful institutions like the Supreme Council of Cyberspace and the Revolutionary Guards, which heavily influence cyberspace policy.
• The ongoing internet blackout has caused significant technical, economic, and social problems, including disruptions to online businesses, job losses, and increased inequality due to selective access programs like “Pro Internet” and white SIM cards.
• Critics argue that the new committee overlaps with existing bodies and fails to address the fundamental governance issues in cyberspace, with some viewing the selective internet access as institutionalized discrimination and a source of public anger.
• The high cost of limited internet access has turned it into a luxury for many Iranians, exacerbating social tensions and fueling a black market, while experts warn that this "class-based internet" could further deepen societal divides and opposition to the state.