Iran accused of blocking SIM cards and digital access to silence dissent
· Cybersecurity · Iran
Iranians told DW their SIM cards, bank access and online accounts were blocked until they deleted critical content or pledged to stop activism. The accounts describe a coordinated digital crackdown on dissent.
Why it matters：Using financial and telecom infrastructure to suppress dissent shows how digital tools can be weaponized against citizens, a trend watched by rights groups globally.
Key points
- Affected Iranians said SIM cards and bank access were blocked.
- Access was restored only after they deleted critical content or pledged to stop activism.
- DW spoke with several Iranians about the blocks.
Sources (original reporting)
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