The Iranian government announced the permanent closure to access the Gmail, which will be replaced by a national email service. This decision is part of a series of repressive measures while Iran celebrates the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution today.
Google has not yet officially reacted to the closure of Gmail. Coincidence, the Mountain View company had just scheduled a public debate on democracy online would address the issue of censorship of totalitarian regimes. Scheduled February 8 in Washington, has been postponed due to heavy snowfall that paralyzed the U.S. capital.
Iranian government deals another blow to freedom of expression by imposing definitive blocking of Gmail. It will be replaced shortly by a national email service, probably controlled by the state.
Google, Facebook and Twitter considered as valuable tools for opponents who have denounced the wave of crackdown on the country following the presidential election last June. This time, the authorities wanted to take the lead, today celebrated the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
Confiscating satellite dishes, mobile phones
The Wall Street Journal, Google’s censorship follows a series of repressive measures such as confiscating satellite dishes, mobile phones and other intimidation perpetrated by militiamen Basij militia, the armed wing of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution.