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.