Iran to establish 'clean Internet'

ISTANBUL

Iranian women use computers at an Internet cafe in central Tehran, Iran. AP Photo.

The Iranian government is planning to set up a national “Intranet” that aims to provide a "clean internet" once it permanently blocks access to some sites online in August, CNNTürk has reported.
 
"All Internet Service Providers should only offer National Internet by August," Iranian Information and Communications Technology Minister Reza Taghipour was quoted as saying by ibtimes.com.
 
"The Internet promotes crime, disunity, unhealthy moral content and atheism," Taghipour said in March.
 
In the first phase, Iranian mail and Iranian search engines will be put into service in May following blocks on popular search engines and mail services such as Google, Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail.
 
Users applying for an Iranian mail and search engine will have to register in the first step with their national identification number, address and full name. The registration process for applicants has already started.
 
In the second step in August, access to free Internet will be completely blocked and only a "clean Internet" will operate in the country.
 
Additional measurements will also be taken in order to better control proxy servers.
 
The Information and Communications Technology Ministry denied reports about the Internet block and said reports on the matter were the result of “Western propaganda” despite previous statements from Taghipour.