Iran to replace its Internet

Iran has claimed the top spot on the Enemies of the Internet list released by Reporters Without Borders. One reason is the country’s plan to replace its Internet with a “clean” version, an isolated national intranet subject to heavy regulation by the Iranian government.

RWB said the system aims “to discriminate between ordinary citizens and the 'elite' … which will continue to have access to the international Internet."

Iran is also looking to replace Google with a national search engine, Ya Haq. Users would have to register their identities on a state email server as well.

Iranian citizens usually rely on proxies and other network tools to get around the country’s already-existing system of online censorship. A launch date for the new national network is unspecified.