VPN Income Information in Iran

the associated thread highlight a DIY approach to creating a VPN server to bypass internet censorship in Iran, with a focus on cost reduction and promoting access to the "free internet." Let’s break down the potential effects of this post on other people, considering the social, economic, and technical implications, as well as the broader context of internet censorship in Iran. 1. Economic Impact on Individuals and Families Cost Reduction for Users: Sarina’s post emphasizes that setting up a personal VPN server costs $5/month (for the server) plus $1.5/year (for a domain), allowing 100 users to access 2–3 terabytes of data monthly. In contrast, commercial VPNs in Iran charge 210,000 IRR (Iranian Rials, roughly $5 at current exchange rates) per month for just 2 users with a 100 GB limit. For a family or group, this DIY approach could drastically lower expenses—potentially saving hundreds of dollars annually for a household or community. As Sarina notes, the goal is to "reduce the costs for other people," which could make internet access more affordable for low-income families in a country where the GNI per capita is $18,130 (as per the Freedom House report from 2024).

Impact on VPN Sellers: The post exposes the high profit margins of commercial VPN providers (estimated at nearly 10 million IRR/month, or about $238 at current rates). If more people adopt Sarina’s method, it could disrupt the VPN market in Iran, which is reportedly worth up to $1 billion annually (Iran Focus, 2023). This might pressure sellers to lower prices or improve services, but it could also lead to backlash from those profiting off the current system, as Sarina hints with the comment, "Now you understand why this post shouldn’t be seen by anyone?"

1. Social and Political Impact Increased Access to Free Internet: Sarina’s initiative aligns with the broader goal of enabling access to the "free internet" (اینترنت_آزاد), which is heavily censored in Iran. The Freedom House report notes that Iran’s government has banned VPNs without licenses (as of February 2024) and prices internationally routed traffic higher to discourage VPN use. By encouraging individuals to build their own VPNs, Sarina’s post could empower more people to bypass these restrictions, accessing blocked content like social media, messaging apps (used by 80% of Iranians via VPNs, per Iran Focus), and international news. This could foster greater freedom of expression and access to information, especially for marginalized groups like the LGBT+ community, who rely on the international internet for community and resources (Freedom House, 2024).

Community Empowerment: Replies to the post, like Sarina’s response to @elf_coder ("Usually one person in a family is enough"), suggest that if even one tech-savvy person in a family or community learns to set up a VPN, they can connect others—potentially 100 users per server. This could create a ripple effect, where small communities or extended families gain access to uncensored internet, reducing dependency on external providers and fostering digital independence.

Risk of Government Pushback: However, this approach isn’t without risks. The Iranian government has a history of cracking down on VPN usage, as seen with the 2023 criminalization of VPN sales and the 2024 licensing requirement (Freedom House). Users like @howlnocastle note that servers get "hit" and need to be rebuilt, implying that authorities actively disrupt such setups. If more people follow Sarina’s advice, it might provoke stricter enforcement, surveillance, or internet shutdowns, as seen in November 2023 across 28 Iranian provinces (Freedom House).

1. Technical and Practical Impact Digital Literacy and Adoption Challenges: While Sarina provides links to tutorials for building VPNs (direct and tunneling methods), replies like @elf_coder ’s point out that even configuring a VPN can be "complicated" for many users, let alone setting up a server. The average Iranian user might struggle with the technical know-how, as @elf_coder humorously notes their father calling an app "qobadi" instead of "oblivion." This suggests that widespread adoption might be limited to tech-savvy individuals, potentially creating a digital divide within communities.

Security Risks: The Stimson Center report highlights the dangers of relying on free or insecure VPNs, which can become "digital Trojan horses," exposing users to hackers, data leaks, and even child exploitation. While Sarina’s method involves setting up a personal server (potentially safer than free VPNs), it still requires careful management to ensure security. Users like @_owlpro mention the challenge of finding a "clean IP" (costing $30–40 initially) and the risk of it being blocked within 1–2 months, which could deter less experienced users due to the ongoing maintenance required.

Scalability and Reliability: The traffic data in the image shows consistent usage (e.g., 2.28 TiB in April 2024, with an average rate of 7.74 MB/s), indicating that a well-managed server can handle 100 users effectively. However, as more people adopt this method, server reliability might become an issue, especially if authorities intensify efforts to block such setups, as @Omid0x000 mentions with their experience of disruptions using "reality" (likely referring to a VPN protocol).

1. Cultural and Behavioral Impact Encouraging Activism and Sharing Knowledge: Sarina’s call to "share this to reduce others’ costs" could inspire a culture of knowledge-sharing and digital activism. Replies like @M_N_S_TON asking for crypto-friendly server providers show that some users are already engaging with the idea and seeking practical solutions. This could lead to a grassroots movement where communities collaborate to bypass censorship, as Sarina envisions with "one person in every family" learning the methods.

Resistance to Censorship: The post taps into a broader sentiment of resistance against Iran’s internet censorship, which has intensified since the 2009 crackdown and continued through the 2022–2023 protests (Freedom House). The Woman, Life, Freedom protests, in particular, have spurred critical online speech, and Sarina’s post could further this trend by equipping more people with tools to speak freely online, though at the risk of self-censorship if crackdowns escalate.

1. Impact on Broader Society and Policy Pressure on Government Policy: If enough people adopt DIY VPNs, it could undermine the government’s National Information Network (NIN), which aims to control internet access by prioritizing domestic content (Stimson Center). This might force the government to rethink its censorship strategies, especially under the new administration of President Masoud Pezeshkian (elected in July 2024), which faces public pressure to reduce reliance on VPNs (Stimson Center). However, as @howlnocastle notes, the "game" often benefits those in power, suggesting that systemic change might be slow.

Influence on International Sanctions and Support: The Stimson Center report notes that U.S. sanctions exacerbate Iran’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities by limiting access to safe, paid international VPNs. If DIY VPNs become more common, it might highlight the need for international support, such as the U.S. codifying sanctions exemptions to help Iranians access the internet (Freedom House). This could lead to more global advocacy for Iranian internet freedom, as seen with organizations like Article 19 expressing concerns about the Internet User Protection Bill (IUPB) and its impact on marginalized groups.

Conclusion Sarina’s post has the potential to empower individuals and communities in Iran by reducing the cost of accessing uncensored internet and promoting digital independence. It could foster a culture of knowledge-sharing, lower financial burdens for families, and challenge the lucrative VPN market. However, its impact is tempered by practical challenges (technical complexity, security risks, and government crackdowns) and the broader context of Iran’s restrictive internet policies. For tech-savvy users, this approach offers a viable path to internet freedom, but for the average person, the barriers to adoption might limit its widespread effect—unless communities rally around shared resources and expertise, as Sarina hopes.