[67750] Telegram channels exploit internet restrictions in Iran to sell VPN services
[67750] Telegram channels exploit internet restrictions in Iran to sell VPN services
Reports on Telegram channels distributing links for purchasing filter-breaker services, while exploiting the situation where access to the global internet remains limited.
Economic exploitation of network censorship in Iran
On May 20, 2026, the Telegram channels خبرفوری جنگ🚨اخبارفوری امریکا فوری and خبرفورینیوز | اخبار جنگ | حمله امریکا, known for an editorial line focused on military and political updates surrounding the US, published statements under the headline "Official: The network will remain national for now." The channels report that access to the free internet in Iran continues to be limited, which has created high demand for censorship circumvention services (VPN).
Under the guise of reporting on the technological situation, the channels according to الخبرفوری جنگ appeal to their followers, claiming that many of them have fallen victim to fraud in the field of VPN service purchases. The channels suggest their subscribers purchase services through specific links they promote, claiming these are "strong and fairly priced" services.
Beyond the service recommendation, the channels market a discount code named "KHABAR50" which grants a 20% discount on purchasing data volume through the @FaraSellBot bot. The channels claim that while other "scalpers" sell data volume at a price of 300-400 Tomans per gigabyte, they offer cheaper access for less than 100 thousand Tomans, thereby exposing an aggressive marketing apparatus for communication services within political news channels.