Story perspectives

U.S. Experts Push Senate Bill to Bypass Iranian Censorship

7/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

A coalition of U.S. experts and digital advocates sent a letter to Senate leaders urging legislation to let Iranians bypass censorship.
The letter backs S.3900 and FREEDOM Act and urges their addition to the 2027 Defense Authorization Act.
Signatories Public Affairs Alliance Iranian Americans, FDD Action, former Iran envoy Elliot Abrams, Vandenberg Coalition executive Carrie Fillipetti and NetFreedom Pioneers argue shutdowns enable violence, arrests and human-rights abuses and block communication.

History

Historical Context

Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net surveys, launched in the early 2000s, have consistently rated Iran “Not Free.” Reporters Without Borders listed Iran among five State Enemies of the Internet in 2013, and the OpenNet Initiative recorded ongoing filtering there in its 2009 study. These long-standing assessments now underpin congressional moves to curb state-run shutdowns and protect Iranian users.

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Story summary

A coalition of U.S. experts and digital advocates sent a letter to Senate leaders urging legislation to let Iranians bypass censorship.
The letter backs S.3900 and FREEDOM Act and urges their addition to the 2027 Defense Authorization Act.
Signatories Public Affairs Alliance Iranian Americans, FDD Action, former Iran envoy Elliot Abrams, Vandenberg Coalition executive Carrie Fillipetti and NetFreedom Pioneers argue shutdowns enable violence, arrests and human-rights abuses and block communication.

1 / 2