Why Tehran’s Two-Tiered Internet Is so Dangerous
Foreign Policy
by Bruce SchneierFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Iran’s recent internet shutdown marks a significant escalation in authoritarian control over digital communications. Unlike previous efforts that maintained access to domestic networks for banking and administrative services, the 2026 blackout disrupted all connectivity, including mobile networks, text messaging, landlines, and even Starlink. The government went further by surgically removing social features like comment sections and chat boxes, effectively silencing public discourse. This move reflects a clear shift in strategy, treating internet access as a tool to atomize the population and prevent both external communication and internal coordination.
The shutdown is part of Iran’s broader plan for a two-tiered internet system, known as Internet-e-Tabaqati, which assigns access based on loyalty and professional necessity. Under this model, only government officials, security forces, and approved journalists receive “white SIM cards” that bypass filtering. This system denies ordinary citizens the default right to global internet access, reducing them to subjects rather than active participants in society.
This approach sets a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes worldwide. By asserting control over every layer of connectivity—physical and logical—the Iranian government demonstrates how modern technology can be weaponized to suppress human rights. The ability to disconnect populations from the global public square undermines the fundamental right to speak, assemble, and access information freely. As other authoritarian states take note, this strategy could become a blueprint for controlling dissent and maintaining power.
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Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/24/2026