Iran Parliament unveils stricter cyberspace regulation plan

Members of the 12th Iranian Parliament have introduced a new version of the ‘Cyberspace Systemization Plan,’ a proposal often referred to as the third version of the controversial ‘Protection Bill.’ This updated draft has been presented to other representatives for consultation.

The new version is reportedly more stringent than previous iterations, imposing increased restrictions on both businesses and individual users. While the plan includes provisions to legalize ‘network neutrality,’ it focuses heavily on defining regulatory bodies, oversight mechanisms, and specific penalties for violations.

A central feature of the proposal is the significant expansion of authority granted to the National Cyberspace Center, headed by Mohammad Amin Aghamiri. This move is seen as a way to tighten state control over the internet. This legislative push follows previous efforts by parliament to restrict unauthorized communication tools, such as SpaceX’s Starlink, under laws aimed at preventing foreign influence and espionage.