In a drastic move to control information, Iran's government has completely disconnected the nation from the global internet. This digital blackout, imposed on Thursday night, isolates 85 million Iranians as widespread protests over economic hardship challenge the authorities.
A Nation Goes Dark: Third Major Internet Shutdown
This marks the third major internet shutdown implemented by Iran in recent years. The first occurred in 2019 during fuel price protests, where over 300 people were reportedly killed. The second was during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, which saw a months-long crackdown and more than 500 deaths. The current shutdown severely limits the ability of citizens to share images and witness accounts of the ongoing unrest, potentially covering up a violent state response.
The attorney general of Iran escalated tensions on Saturday, warning that anyone participating in protests would be considered an "enemy of God," a charge that carries the death penalty. This has left the vast Iranian diaspora in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere in a state of frantic anxiety, desperate for news about family and friends.
Starlink's Crucial and Dangerous Role
With conventional internet and phone lines severed, Starlink satellite internet terminals have become a vital, though illegal, lifeline. Despite never being authorized by the Iranian government, tens of thousands of Starlink receivers are estimated to be in the country. While many are used by businesses, activists confirm some are now being used to share videos and photos from the protests.
"In this case, because all those things have been disrupted, Starlink is playing the key for getting all these videos out," said Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based internet freedom activist.
However, using Starlink in Iran is extremely perilous. "It’s really hard to use it because if they arrest a person, they can execute the person and say this person is working for Israel or the United States," explained Azam Jangravi, a cybersecurity expert in Toronto opposed to Iran's government.
Government Jamming and International Pressure
The Iranian regime is actively trying to counter Starlink. Experts report that since its war with Israel in June 2023, Iran has been disrupting GPS signals, which Starlink receivers need to function. Digital rights expert Amir Rashidi noted a 30% to 80% loss in data packets from Starlink devices in different areas, suggesting sophisticated jamming tactics similar to those used by Russia in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Iran has been lobbying the UN's International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to stop Starlink service to the country, even as the same agency has previously called on Iran to cease its own signal jamming.
The blackout creates a critical information vacuum at a pivotal moment. "Unless something changes in the next two or three days, these protests can die down, too. If there’s any help, it needs to come soon," warned Yahyanejad. For now, the world's window into Iran relies on a fragile, illegal satellite network, with the safety of its users hanging in the balance.
