Iran's internet shutdown has entered its 36th hour, with no signs of letting up, as authorities continue to quell escalating anti-government protests. The blackout, which blocks an astonishing 90% of internet traffic, is being characterized by experts as "unprecedented" and "far harsher than previous digital blackouts in the country."
The shutdown's sophistication and severity have been likened to a "new high-water mark," with Iranian digital rights expert Amir Rashidi describing it as "like living in the middle of nowhere, with no BTS towers" – a stark contrast to the limited connectivity Iranians once enjoyed. Even Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system was jammed during this period, rendering even the lifeline internet services ineffective.
What sets this blackout apart from previous instances is its fine-tuned precision and what appears to be a more permanent solution for the authorities. According to Doug Madory, an expert in internet infrastructure, "this might be for the long haul."
The shutdown's implications extend beyond mere communication; it also stifles access to essential information and social media platforms, where Iranians rely on these platforms to voice their dissent. The fact that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued to post updates online despite the blackout underscores the regime's reliance on internet connectivity for propaganda purposes.
This raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures in curtailing dissent and maintaining control. As Madory noted, "there are big costs to taking everything down." The Iranian government's attempts to fine-tune its censorship tools suggest a desire to prolong this blackout, potentially rendering it a defining feature of their response to ongoing protests.
The implications of Iran's internet shutdown also resonate beyond the country's borders, as other nations grapple with similar issues. India is developing its own state-managed messaging app, while Russia pushes for a "super app" model akin to China's WeChat. However, for now, it appears that Iran's approach remains uniquely severe and restrictive.
The shutdown's sophistication and severity have been likened to a "new high-water mark," with Iranian digital rights expert Amir Rashidi describing it as "like living in the middle of nowhere, with no BTS towers" – a stark contrast to the limited connectivity Iranians once enjoyed. Even Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system was jammed during this period, rendering even the lifeline internet services ineffective.
What sets this blackout apart from previous instances is its fine-tuned precision and what appears to be a more permanent solution for the authorities. According to Doug Madory, an expert in internet infrastructure, "this might be for the long haul."
The shutdown's implications extend beyond mere communication; it also stifles access to essential information and social media platforms, where Iranians rely on these platforms to voice their dissent. The fact that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued to post updates online despite the blackout underscores the regime's reliance on internet connectivity for propaganda purposes.
This raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures in curtailing dissent and maintaining control. As Madory noted, "there are big costs to taking everything down." The Iranian government's attempts to fine-tune its censorship tools suggest a desire to prolong this blackout, potentially rendering it a defining feature of their response to ongoing protests.
The implications of Iran's internet shutdown also resonate beyond the country's borders, as other nations grapple with similar issues. India is developing its own state-managed messaging app, while Russia pushes for a "super app" model akin to China's WeChat. However, for now, it appears that Iran's approach remains uniquely severe and restrictive.
this is getting out of hand i mean i get it protest season but this is crazy how they can just shut down like 90% of the internet 
i feel so bad for the ppl stuck in the middle of nowhere with no wifi lol amir rashidi's quote tho... "like living in the middle of nowhere" 
what if its not even a temporary measure? 
this could be how they plan to control ppl forever 
it's like they think we can just switch off our phones and magically forget about everything that's going on 
experts say its "unprecedented" & "far harsher" than previous blackouts - talk about a smackdown to dissent 
even Elon Musk's Starlink got jammed 
& freedom of expression... its like livin in the dark ages! 
this is so concerning. I mean, 36 hours in without internet? that's like being cut off from the world, you know? 
there are big consequences to silencing people, and it's not like it's going to stop protests or anything 
. it just seems like a major overreach, you know? 
it's not just about the protests but also about free speech and access to information. i'm guessing the gov is really worried about ppl finding out stuff they don't want them to know 
anyway, it's wild how even starlink got jammed 
this could be a game changer for internet security i wonder what other countries will try to replicate this kind of censorship 
i feel bad for the people stuck in the middle of all this, no BTS towers or starlink, that's just cruel 
it's crazy that even elon musk's starlink system got jammed lol 
but yeah, iran's approach remains uniquely severe 
anyway, it's clear this shutdown is a big deal, and not just for iran... how many other countries are gonna follow suit with their own state-managed messaging apps or super apps? 
but now it's like they're playing a game of digital whack-a-mole. Starlink jammed? 
. But isn't this kinda like something out of a dystopian movie? 
. Can't we just find a balance between security and expression? 
but seriously, this is like a whole new level of censorship. how r they gonna keep ppl quiet w/o internet connectivity tho? 
️, but hey, at least the supreme leader got his Instagram updates... that's what matters, right? 
i mean, who needs starlink or any other satellite system when u can just block everything that's already online 
the fact that ayatollah khamenei is still posting updates despite the blackout shows how much they rely on internet connectivity for their messaging... but will it be effective in silencing dissent? 
i feel bad 4 those ppl who r tryna express themselves thru the web but r bein blocked out 
. cant the gov just let ppl have some freedom online? 