Information access under restriction: Drivers of circumvention tool use

State-imposed internet censorship has expanded globally, leading many users to rely on circumvention tools to access restricted platforms. In Iran, where Telegram remains heavily filtered, identifying the factors that shape circumvention behavior is key to understanding digital resistance. This study examines socio-demographic and attitudinal predictors of circumvention tool use among Iranian Telegram users, drawing on an online survey of 517 participants. Ten variables related to political engagement, psychological reactance, media perceptions, and individual characteristics were analyzed. Regression results identify six significant predictors: gender, political interest, motivated resistance to censorship, endorsement of censorship, religiosity, and perceived similarity to state media. Men, politically interested users, and individuals displaying higher reactance are more likely to bypass restrictions, while support for censorship and greater alignment with government messaging reduce circumvention. Age, education, trust, and use of state media show no significant effect. Overall, psychological and political orientations strongly shape digital resistance in restrictive media environments.