Iran's 'Halal Internet': How a Digital Wall Keeps Banking & Calls Alive Amid Global Blackout

• Iran's 'Halal Internet' (National Information Network - NIN) is a government-controlled intranet, operating on a 'whitelist' system where only approved sites are accessible.
• Implemented after internet shutdowns in Jan and Feb 2026 due to protests and US-Israel attacks, to maintain essential services like banking and local communication.
• Local calls and domestic banking function, but international calls, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google are blocked; users are forced onto government-approved apps like Eitaa and Soroush.
• VPN usage is strictly monitored, leading to SIM blocking and legal action for attempts to access the global internet.
• The concept originated in 2005, inaugurated in 2016, and proved its capability during the 2019 fuel protests, effectively isolating Iran digitally from the world.