United StatesU.S. agencies would support safer internet access for Iranians
The State Department would seek to provide cybersecurity training and safety tools for Iranian journalists and activists, with Congress still needing to provide funding.
What it does
The State Department would seek to provide Iranian journalists and activists with cybersecurity training, safety tools, and online threat warnings. The bill would authorize funding; Congress would still need to provide it.
The State Department would assess tools that bypass internet restrictions and plan ways around Iranian government blackouts. It would coordinate with other agencies and report progress to Congress.
When approving satellite service, the FCC would consider encouraging providers to avoid deliberately blocking Iran, with legal and network safety exceptions. Providers would not have to offer service there.
Argument forIf funded and delivered, safety tools and training could help Iranian journalists and activists avoid surveillance, scams, and unsafe applications.
Argument againstPeople in Iran could still lack satellite service because encouraging coverage would leave providers free to decline to offer it.
More detail
The Secretary of State would seek to provide cybersecurity training and digital safety tools. Programs would serve journalists, human rights defenders, and other people working in civil society in Iran. Congress would still need to provide the money; the bill would authorize $15 million in each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for these programs and satellite coverage work. Programs would prioritize software tools that reduce the risk of physical detection. U.S. sanctions and export restrictions would still apply. The Secretary would have to seek to establish or expand programs within 180 days after enactment.
The Secretary of State would update the U.S. strategy for helping people in Iran access the internet. The strategy would cover tools for activists, company services for civilians, and ways around government internet blackouts. Work to help companies provide internet tools would have to follow U.S. sanctions and export rules. The Secretary would regularly review the strategy and send Congress updates on progress and coordination across agencies. The first strategy update and its submission to Congress would be due within 120 days after enactment.
The Federal Communications Commission would have to consider encouraging satellite providers to keep coverage available in Iran. Covered approvals would include licenses, license changes, and market access for satellite services, including direct connections to cellphones. The suggested restraint would allow blocking required by federal law, FCC orders, or agreements solely to prevent harmful interference. Its network safety exception would cover only imminent threats, limited interruptions, and restoration as soon as practicable; this would not impose a restoration duty. Providers would not have to market, sell, activate, or collect payment for service in Iran. The approval rule would apply on or after enactment. State Department briefings on coverage exclusions would be due within 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter for five years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 15Introduced in HouseLatest
- Oct 15Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.Introduced
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