Iran is ten days into an extensive internet shutdown affecting 92 million citizens, initiated by the government on January 8. The blackout aims to suppress dissent and prevent international scrutiny of the government's violent crackdown on protests. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claims the disruption is a response to 'externally directed terrorist operations.'
Reports indicate that the government may be planning a permanent restriction on internet access, with expectations that international web access might not resume until at least the Iranian New Year in late March. Internet freedom observers are concerned that the government is implementing systems to isolate Iran from the global internet.
Access Now, a digital rights organization, highlights the potential dangers posed by restricted internet access, which they believe emboldens authorities to commit human rights abuses with little accountability. Already, reports indicate significant disruptions to livelihoods and e-commerce due to the ongoing blackout.
Analysts fear this shutdown is more than a temporary outage, as it may signal a shift towards a more controlled internet akin to models implemented in Russia and China. Experts predict that a new tiered access system may be rolled out, limiting internet access to government-approved channels only.
Moreover, advancements in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services like Starlink complicate government control, as these technologies offer users a way to bypass censorship. While authorities have managed to jam some signals, others remain operational.
The ramifications of the ongoing blackout are vast, with thousands already reported dead or missing amidst the protests. As the government tightens its grip on digital communications, the situation calls for urgent attention from the international community.
