Revealing New X Feature Uncovers Elite ‘White Internet’ Access and Political Troll Networks in Iran
Recent developments regarding location transparency on X, formerly known as Twitter, have unveiled significant insights into government access and organized troll farms within Iran. This new feature, which displays login locations and account access details, has sparked a wave of discussions among Persian-speaking users about the implications of such revelations.
As Iranian users explored the “About this account” section now available to the public, they uncovered two major realities. Firstly, individuals linked to the regime enjoy exclusive access to an unfiltered internet experience within Iran. Secondly, numerous politically coordinated accounts masquerading as monarchist or pro–Reza Pahlavi activists are, in fact, operating from within the country.
In recent days, users have shared screenshots that show political, governmental, and media figures aligned with Iran’s ruling establishment accessing X from inside the country without the need for VPNs. This starkly contrasts with the experience of ordinary citizens, who remain ensnared in layers of censorship. These findings reinforce long-standing claims about a privileged tier of digital access granted to those approved by the regime.
The term “white internet” (#اینترنت_سفید) has emerged in the public discourse to describe this system of unrestricted connectivity. According to digital rights advocates, it represents a class-based division of the internet in Iran, offering elite access to select institutions and individuals while the general population is confined to a heavily monitored and censored network. Critics have argued that this dual system has fostered profound structural inequality in access to information and freedom of expression.
Key revelations include:
- Government-affiliated journalists and state managers have been identified accessing X without censorship.
- Many accounts linked to electoral figures were found to have their apps installed via domestic app stores.
- Users recognized the situation as reminiscent of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” where some are deemed “more equal” than others.
The reaction on social media was immediate and intense. Commentary has highlighted the hollowness of campaign promises by figures such as Masoud Pezeshkian, the regime’s president, to lift filtering when those making the promises already enjoy unrestricted access. The situation has been labeled as technological rent-seeking or digital apartheid, raising questions about the fairness of a society deprived of equal access to information.
Alongside the controversy surrounding the “white internet,” another dimension of this unfolding scandal has gained traction: the exposure of hundreds of politically coordinated accounts on X that had long posed as supporters of Reza Pahlavi. After the activation of the location feature, users discovered that many of these accounts, previously claiming to be based in Europe or the United States, were logging in from within Iran.
Upon confrontation, several accounts switched their settings to display only a vague “region” instead of a specific country. However, initial screenshots of their login locations had already spread widely. Users contended that these findings reveal the extent to which the online promotion of Reza Pahlavi is orchestrated by the Ammar Cyber Headquarters of the IRGC in Tehran.
Digital activists have noted that the behavior of these accounts aligns with classic indicators of a political troll farm, which include:
- Synchronized posts promoting identical messages.
- Simultaneous use of hashtags.
- Coordinated attacks on critics.
- Reports of spam to silence independent voices.
- Employment of stolen photos and fabricated identities.
Some accounts, while posing as supporters of Reza Pahlavi, have aggressively targeted other anti-regime groups with vulgar language and propaganda. Reports from outlets such as Haaretz and Citizen Lab have previously documented organized cyber networks aimed at influencing political discourse, lending further credence to the current wave of revelations.
The scandal has not been confined to anonymous accounts. Recently, users also identified media personality Reza Rashidpour, whose account displayed activity from “Iran without VPN.” Although Rashidpour has yet to issue an official response, the debate surrounding him and other public figures continues to intensify.
The introduction of this new feature on X has not only shed light on hidden privileges and coordinated online operations but has also fueled public suspicion regarding state manipulation of digital spaces. As more users scrutinize account data, the divide between ordinary citizens facing censorship and those shielded by elite access becomes increasingly apparent, making it more challenging for the regime to maintain its facade.
In conclusion, the revelations stemming from location transparency on X highlight critical issues about internet access in Iran. The stark contrast between the experiences of elite users and ordinary citizens calls for a closer examination of digital rights and freedoms within the country.
