[smnrchrds]

Here is the strange part: with debit card. Theoretically the government can identify and arrest all VPN providers in 24 hours. For some reason they have never made a single VPN-related arrest as far as I know. This has led many (including me) believe that VPNs are government honeypots. People are going to circumvent censorship one way or the other. If they provide VPN for those who are really seeking it, they will lose their power for censorship but not surveillance. I assume they don't care so much about people watching porn as they care about citizen journalists writing for BBC (many of whom have been arrested).

[jotm]

That's interesting - I assumed they would block card payments, as well.

Hell, I have trouble paying for stuff in the EU with a US card...

Anyway, VPN providers are NOT your friend for privacy and escaping surveillance/censorship. They actually cooperate with the authorities!

Hidemyass and Astrill used to openly state they will provide any and all details of your identity and activities if the authorities request it!

There's no need for honeypots when all these companies give up your identity with a single call from the police.

They also discriminate against automated tools and robots for whatever reason, as if paying a human to do the work is better :-)

[nayefc]

But in this case, its the US blocking Iran not Iran censoring itself..