TakTalk Episode 144: Economic Challenges, Tech Innovations, and Digital Restrictions in Iran

This episode of TakTalk addresses significant economic pressures in Iran, marked by sharp increases in the prices of essential goods and higher education tuition fees. It also reviews the latest global technological advancements, examining their potential impact on Iranian society amidst ongoing concerns about internet censorship and accessibility.

Key Points Summary

• Episode Introduction

  The 144th episode of TakTalk introduces itself, humorously noting that dialing 144 connects to emergency services in Switzerland but to the Neday-e Quran network in Iran, dedicated to promoting Quranic messages.

• Rising Prices of Essential Goods

  Prices for staple items are critically discussed, with Kaleh Pacheh (lamb's head and trotters) reaching one million Tomans and beef shank increasing by 9.2% to 9,500 Tomans per kilogram. Chicken meat is also approaching 4,000 Tomans per kilogram, alongside significant price increases for sugar, cooking oil (157,000 Tomans last week), and various types of rice (Tarom at 240,000 Tomans/kg, Indian at 598,000 Tomans/kg).

• University Tuition Fee Hikes

  Tuition fees for higher education have seen substantial increases, with annual costs at Shahid Beheshti University for medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy reaching 160, 170, and 145 million Tomans, respectively. Azad University has also raised its fees by 15-20%, with theoretical law courses costing 17.5 million Tomans and practical law courses increasing from 9.5 million to 12.2 million Tomans (for 19 units). Paramedical programs have experienced a 20-25% increase.

• eSIM Technology and Challenges in Iran

  The impending release of eSIM-only iPhones (expected to start with iPhone 17) in Europe presents significant challenges for users in Iran. Concerns are raised about the inability to register these devices due to filtering and the government's difficulty in disrupting eSIM signals, despite Iranian mobile operators reportedly having worked on eSIM support for seven years, suggesting future iPhone models could become largely unusable in Iran.

• Internet Filtering and Government Justifications

  An executive official has publicly linked VPNs to national infiltration and espionage, justifying stricter filtering measures. This statement contradicts a previous government spokesperson's claim that the president could easily lift filtering, emphasizing an undefined goal of 'accord.' Some proposals for lifting filtering include international tech giants like Google and Meta establishing local offices in Iran to facilitate content access.

• Public Opinion and Financial Impact of Filtering

  Public surveys indicate that 60-80% of citizens oppose internet filtering, which sharply contradicts state media reports of only 3%. A security report identified VPNs as a factor in infiltration. Citizens collectively spend billions of Tomans on VPNs, an expenditure that does not benefit the government. The official narrative, suggesting filtering protects against 'enemies,' is criticized as an irrelevant justification for restricting ordinary users' internet access.

• WhatsApp Status Feature Update

  WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a 'Close Friends' feature for status updates, enabling users to share content selectively with a chosen group of contacts.

• Mandatory Car Standards and Technical Inspection Issues

  Iranian car manufacturers initially struggled to meet basic safety standards but are now subject to 122 mandatory requirements, including improved lighting like halogen daytime running lights (DRL), which are considered inadequate internationally. A specific issue highlighted is dual-fuel Benz cars failing technical inspections because new CNG tanks cannot be certified or replaced in Iran due to a lack of local supply and import.

• Environmental Protection and Ranger Safety

  The government plans to recruit 700 new park rangers to address staffing shortages. A recent incident in the Varjin protected area (Shemiranat) saw a park ranger severely assaulted and injured by three poachers during an illegal entry prevention, resulting in his hospitalization.

• State Media (IRIB) and Domestic Platform Promotion

  The Speaker of Parliament asserted that the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) successfully provides free advertising for domestic digital platforms, thereby promoting local service usage. This is presented as a challenge for global tech companies to compete with IRIB's extensive promotional reach, with an example of IRIB blurring competitor logos during broadcasts and replacing them with its own.

• Azad University Admission Process

  The admission process for Azad University is criticized for its complexity and cost, requiring a 20 million Toman fee to even check eligibility or a 5,000 Toman SMS fee, drawing sarcastic comparisons to the simpler admission procedures of international institutions.

• Challenges for Travelers to Iran

  The process for foreigners, including those of Iranian descent, to visit Iran is described as overly complex and restrictive. This involves cumbersome online registration, the necessity of indirect flights (e.g., via Venezuela or Istanbul due to lack of direct options), and arbitrary visa rejections and deportations by immigration officers.

• Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Smartwatch Launch

  Garmin has introduced the Fenix 8 Pro, a high-end smartwatch designed for professional athletes. It features a Micro LED display with 4500 nits brightness, LTE-M network support (sarcastically noted as fully functional even in remote Iranian mountains), 30-second voice messaging, live tracking, real-time weather, and satellite SOS capabilities. The watch is priced at $1200, with a Micro LED version at $2000.

• Adobe Premiere Rush Free for iPhone

  Adobe has released a completely free version of its Premiere Rush video editing application for iPhone, offering full features, no watermarks, and no advertisements. It supports 4K HDR and integrates Lightroom color grading, positioning it as a competitor to popular apps like CapCut and DaVinci Resolve.

• Instagram App for iPad

  Instagram content, particularly 'yellow' or sensational posts, is now viewable natively on larger iPad screens, allowing for a more immersive viewing experience.

• Exaggerated Displays of Wealth

  A humorous anecdote highlights an extreme example of wealth display in Iran, where a host completely covered her home, including items like walnuts and fish, in gold leaf in preparation for a sister-in-law's visit.

• Global Tech-Trade Dynamics (EU vs. Google, Trump vs. EU)

  The European Union has fined Google 3.5 billion dollars for antitrust violations, a decision Google disputes as unfair and disproportionate. Concurrently, former US President Trump has threatened retaliatory tariffs against the EU under Section 301 of trade laws, indicating potential trade conflicts.

• Huawei Mate Xts Ultimate Design Foldable Phone

  Huawei has unveiled the Mate Xts Ultimate Design foldable phone, featuring a 7.9-inch main display and a 6.4-inch external screen. Key specifications include 3K resolution, a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate, Kirin 9020 processor, a 50MP main camera, and a 5600mAh battery. The device is priced at $2520 in China.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

  Samsung introduced the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor, offering up to 12GB RAM, 128-512GB internal storage, and expandable storage via an SD card. It features a 30MP rear camera, a 12MP selfie camera, and 5G connectivity, with a price tag of $1700.

• Samsung S25 FE Smartphone

  The Samsung S25 FE has been announced, featuring a Dynamic AMOLED 2X Full HD+ 120Hz display with Vision Booster, an Exynos 2400 (4nm) processor, 8GB RAM, and 128-512GB storage. It includes a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto, and a 12MP selfie camera, powered by a 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, priced at approximately 750 Euros.

• Perplexity AI Browser (Comet) Limitations

  Perplexity AI has launched its new browser, Perplexity Comet, but its advanced functionalities, such as route mapping for Tehran or Amazon shopping assistance, are unavailable to users in Iran due to service restrictions, rendering it less useful for local applications.

• Listener Comments and Humorous Interjections

  Listener comments included suggestions for a 'collaboration' between the host and government officials on internet filtering, humorous remarks about the cost of therapy for VPN users, and a report of only two hours of internet access daily in Yazd. The discussion also covered sarcastic explanations of how 5G speed tests produce exaggerated results and the etymology of 'Gole Gav' (herd of cows) in the context of rising prices. Other comments wished for a specific commentator to deliver tech news, recalled early Iranian innovations in sugar production, confirmed a past 'Golden Atlas Butter' product, and shared a tragicomic story of a Polish cyclist tourist being deported from Iran. The hosts also addressed a listener's university entrance exam success, provided a tip for calendar conversion, discussed touchscreen laptop durability, and jokingly identified a 'spy' among the commenters. The episode concluded with advice to drink water and eat carrots for eye health.

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