[62096] A wave of advertisements for the sale of VPN services in Iran against the backdrop of network restrictions

A wave of VPN promotion ads on Telegram in Iran

In the last 24 hours, dozens of Iranian Telegram channels have been flooded with intensive advertisements for the sale of VPN services, filters, and configurations (Configs) for bypassing internet censorship. It appears to be a concentrated effort by various providers to exploit the high demand for free access to the network, while presenting "flash sale" deals and intense price competition.

The channel اخبارفوری خبرفوری جنگ امریکا فوری, which is identified with content regarding security and foreign news, actively promoted the "NetAzad" service, which offers "free and fast" access to users. This channel, alongside other channels such as کانال هواداران استقلال and خبرفوری جنگ🚨اخبارفوری امریکا فوری, distributed links to automated bots that promise a stable connection without "disconnects or malfunctions" (according to a message on km_ap).

Simultaneously, a "price war" has developed between providers offering packages based on data volume. For example, the channel کانال هواداران استقلال published a "100,000 to 150,000 Toman per gigabyte" deal to mark reaching 100,000 subscribers (msg_link). Conversely, channels such as dark netvpn presented detailed price lists starting from 275 Toman per gigabyte for "VIP" services, with a promise of a "money-back guarantee" and "high speed."

It should be noted that the advertisements are characterized by an aggressive marketing style, promising "unlimited speed" and "internet freedom" while using technical terms such as V2Ray and OpenVPN. However, some channels, including کافه سیاست, also distributed free configurations (such as the vless protocol), which are likely intended for mass use under strict network restrictions.

The phenomenon testifies to a persistent attempt by private entities to monetize the social need for free access to information, with some providers even using the names of known or popular news channels to distribute their services to the widest possible audience.