Iranians threatened with legal action for using VPNs to bypass internet blocks — here's everything we know

• Iran's authorities are issuing warnings to residents defying online blocks
• Connecting to the internet with a VPN "will be treated as a crime," they warn
• Iran's internet connectivity has remained at 1% since February 28

Iranians attempting to access the global internet face the threat of criminal prosecution as a "near-complete" digital blackout enters its second week.

Local authorities and telecom operators are reportedly issuing direct warnings via SMS to citizens who have used VPNs to circumvent ongoing restrictions, according to reporting from France24.

The messages warn that repeated attempts to connect to the international internet will result in blocks and cases being referred to judicial authorities.