Iranian citizens have expressed outrage after X’s newly introduced location feature exposed government officials and pro-regime figures using Iran-based SIM cards to access the platform, despite its official ban in the country. The revelation has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, as ordinary Iranians require VPNs to bypass the government’s strict internet censorship. Among those identified was Information and Communication Technology Minister Sattar Hashemi, whose account appeared to be based in Iran, suggesting he bypassed the VPN requirement. Social media users criticized the government for allegedly distributing ‘white SIM cards’ to officials, granting them unrestricted access to blocked sites. The terms ‘White SIM Card’ and ‘Class-based Internet’ trended on X as Iranians voiced their frustration. Mani Ghasemi, chair of tech site Digiato, condemned Hashemi and other reformist politicians for their use of these SIMs, calling their opposition to internet censorship insincere. The Iranian government has long restricted access to platforms like X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, while attempting to curb VPN usage. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged to review the stringent internet controls, which aim to steer users toward domestic websites. Critics argue that certain institutions, including news agencies linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enjoy special privileges with unfiltered internet access. Following the controversy, several officials and journalists altered their X account locations from Iran to ‘West Asia.’ Journalist Vahid Khatami defended unrestricted internet as a professional necessity, while Ali Ahmadinia, head of public relations, promised a review of ‘white SIM card’ distribution.
VPN-using Iranians angry after X locations reveal officials using state-issued SIMs
