Iran's 'Halal Internet': Banking & Calls Work Amidst Widespread Shutdowns
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Iran's 'Halal Internet': How a Digital Wall Keeps Banking & Calls Alive Amid Global Blackout
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News18•11-03-2026, 13:00
Iran's 'Halal Internet': How a Digital Wall Keeps Banking & Calls Alive Amid Global Blackout
•Iran's 'Halal Internet' (National Information Network - NIN) is a government-controlled intranet, operating on a 'whitelist' system where only approved sites are accessible.
•Implemented after internet shutdowns in Jan and Feb 2026 due to protests and US-Israel attacks, to maintain essential services like banking and local communication.
•Local calls and domestic banking function, but international calls, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google are blocked; users are forced onto government-approved apps like Eitaa and Soroush.
•VPN usage is strictly monitored, leading to SIM blocking and legal action for attempts to access the global internet.
•The concept originated in 2005, inaugurated in 2016, and proved its capability during the 2019 fuel protests, effectively isolating Iran digitally from the world.
