By Maryam Manzoori | 2024-09-10

The Iranian regime's recent attempt to censor the Australian embassy's use of social media has sparked heated debate online over the Islamic Republic's escalating internet censorship and suppression of free speech.

The regime imposes strict regulations on internet use inside the country, blocking social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

On September 3, it summoned Australian Ambassador Ian McConville after the embassy posted a photo on its official Instagram account for "Wear It Purple Day."

The incident is the first time the regime has summoned a foreign ambassador over a social media post on their own account.

The image shows McConville and two staff members wearing purple clothing, holding purple cupcakes and a bouquet of purple flowers.

"Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people," according to the Australian organization's website.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry called the post "disrespectful" and "norm-breaking."

McConville said the post was not intended to insult the Iranian people and their values, according to Iran's semi-official ILNA news agency.

"Australia is a proud advocate for human rights," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, defending the embassy's actions. "At home and abroad, we work to advance these principles."

Freedom of expression

The Iranian regime enforced harsher curbs on the internet following 2019 protests against fuel prices and later demonstrations triggered by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

In a fresh move toward internet restriction, Iranian leader Ali Khamenei on August 27 urged the new government to impose controls over cyberspace in Iran, AFP reported.

"What matters is for the rule of law to be applied in the virtual space," Khamenei said during his first meeting with the cabinet of president Masoud Pezeshkian.

"If you don't have a law (to regulate the internet), set a law, and based on that law, take the control," he said.

Khamenei's remarks come despite vows from Pezeshkian during his campaign to ease the long-standing internet restrictions in Iran.

While some social media users urged the Australian ambassador to apologize for the post and to "respect the laws of the host country," others championed the embassy's support for human rights.

"No one should respect barbaric so-called laws that [do not] respect human rights and dignity," Iranian-born artist Alireza Shojaian wrote on Instagram.

"The Australian ambassador not only doesn't deserve punishment but should be encouraged," social media user Mehrzad wrote on X. "He exercised his freedom of speech, and it is none of the Iran [government's] business."