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The Deputy Minister of ICT for the development of the National Information Network has addressed widespread misconceptions surrounding its purpose. He emphasized that the network's infrastructure is not connected to censorship or filtering.
Rasoul Lotfi, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Technology, described National Information Network as "a highway for data sovereignty, resilience of vital services, and the development of the digital economy." Lotfi expressed concern that public opinion, and sometimes elite circles, mistakenly associate the network with tools for restricting information.
Lotfi highlighted the origin of this 'misunderstanding', which he believes stems from an incorrect interpretation of the term 'network.' He stated, "In the minds of many users, anything related to 'network' is necessarily associated with the internet and filtering. As a result, any foundational project in digital communications, whether aimed at increasing security or improving performance, is unconsciously perceived as a threat to information freedom."
He further explained that experiences with internet filters in closed countries have shaped public perception. "Many assume that localizing infrastructures equals restriction. However, free countries also localize their networks for security and strategic purposes, without adopting censorship policies," Lotfi added.
Filtering vs. National Network
The Deputy Minister clarified that filtering and the national network are entirely separate concepts. "Filtering does not necessarily require a national network, and conversely, having a national network does not mean censorship," he explained. According to Lotfi, these two concepts are independent politically, technically, and functionally.
