Exploring Iran’s Extended Internet Blackout

After protests erupted in early January, the Iranian government initiated a complete internet shutdown, marking the longest blackout in the nation’s history. This drastic measure aimed to stifle the protests, but it ultimately failed to quell the unrest. However, the blackout did hinder the flow of information both within Iran and to the outside world.

Amidst the tightly controlled environment and disrupted communications, a wave of state violence has led to a staggering death toll estimated between 3,000 and 30,000. Even the lowest figures, which the Iranian government has acknowledged, are likely gross underestimations, making this one of the bloodiest uprisings in recent history.

Understanding the situation in Iran can be challenging due to its complex history and the ever-changing state of technology and internet infrastructure. To gain insight into the current events, I spoke with Mahsa Alimardani, an expert in digital rights and the associate director of the Technology Threats & Opportunities program at WITNESS. She has been actively researching and advocating for digital rights in Iran since 2012.

What is the current state of internet access in Iran?
Since the weekend of January 24, there has been a partial restoration of connectivity, but I’m concerned that this might lead people to believe that everything is back to normal. Recent data from Cloudflare indicates that connectivity is around 30 to 40 percent, but it remains inconsistent. Some circumvention tools have started to function again.

Interestingly, I received a FaceTime call from someone in Iran yesterday. They mentioned that their VPN had stopped working, so they tried FaceTime, which surprisingly didn’t require a VPN. However, this seems to be a temporary glitch. The network situation is unpredictable, and it’s unclear what this means for long-term connectivity.

Since the protests surged on January 8, the internet shutdown has set a record for its duration. Tragically, it has also coincided with a record number of protesters being killed, highlighting the horrifying reality of how technology can facilitate such atrocities.

Why does the Iranian government fear internet access?
In 1988, a fatwa led to the massacre of numerous political prisoners in a short time frame. This occurred in an era without the internet, where media was tightly controlled by the state. For those who remained in Iran, it was difficult to pass on the memory of those events. Many young people today are learning about their history only after leaving the country.

The ability to document and witness these crimes in the digital age is a significant threat to the regime. It allows for accountability and the recording of their actions. Whenever there’s a severe crackdown, like an internet shutdown, it often precedes violence. For instance, during a week-long internet blackout in 2019, the government killed 1,500 people. They aim to prevent people from using the internet for mobilization and to document their actions.

The regime’s denial of the scale of its crimes complicates the assessment of its legitimacy, as free polling and media are non-existent. Even foreign journalists face restrictions, and the UN has been unable to conduct proper human rights documentation since the regime’s inception in 1979. Thus, the reliance on citizen media and the internet becomes crucial for gathering evidence.

What was internet access like in Iran before the blackout?
Iranians are incredibly tech-savvy due to a long history of navigating censorship. Since 2017, protests have occurred roughly every two years, each time with varying levels of censorship and new regulations. In 2017, Telegram was immensely popular, serving as a hub for news, socializing, and even online markets. However, it was blocked in 2018 due to its role in protest mobilization.

Following that, Instagram and WhatsApp gained popularity, remaining accessible until the Woman Life Freedom movement in 2022, when they too were blocked. Most Iranians now rely on VPNs, and the regime has invested significant resources in disabling them. Many users have multiple VPNs to switch between when one fails.

While technology poses a threat to the regime, it also enables repression. The government employs various tactics to control information, including outright censorship and physical coercion. Many families are too afraid to report the deaths of loved ones due to the fear surrounding the process of retrieving their bodies. Additionally, the regime floods the information space with misinformation, creating confusion and doubt.

Iran’s foreign relations further complicate its information landscape. The 1953 coup by the CIA and MI6, which overthrew Iran’s democratic government, set the stage for decades of political instability, culminating in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. More recently, Iran and Russia formed a strategic partnership during the Syrian civil war, leading to a surge in internet disinformation. In 2018, social media platforms removed numerous accounts linked to disinformation campaigns from both countries.

The regime’s campaign against dissent predates the internet, but technology has amplified its reach. They have cleverly manipulated narratives around protests, even mobilizing sympathizers of the Palestinian cause against Iranian liberation efforts.

Can you elaborate on the regime’s manipulation of narratives?
Iran’s Islamic fascist state uses religion to suppress its people, often conflating valid criticisms of Islamophobia in the West with its own repressive actions. For instance, videos may depict protesters attacking mosques without context, failing to mention that these mosques often serve as bases for security forces.

Regarding AI, while authoritarian regimes have long denied evidence of their crimes, the rise of AI technology complicates the landscape. AI editing tools are becoming ubiquitous, blurring the lines between authenticity and manipulation. A recent example involved a low-resolution video of a protester facing armed security forces, which was enhanced using AI. Despite being verified as authentic, regime accounts dismissed it as “AI slop” pushed by foreign adversaries.

What are the various actors in Iran’s information space?
The information environment in Iran is influenced by foreign policy interests, particularly from Israel and the US, due to their historically antagonistic relationship. The recent Iran-Israel war saw a surge in AI-generated content from both sides, complicating the narrative surrounding the conflict.

One notable incident involved a manipulated video attributed to the Israeli state, depicting an airstrike on Evin Prison, which was later confirmed to be a war crime. This deepfake went viral before researchers could debunk it, illustrating the challenges of navigating the complex information landscape.

While external actors contribute to the confusion, the primary issue remains the unprecedented violence perpetrated by the Iranian regime.

I’ve heard that Iranians purchased Starlink terminals before the blackout. Can you provide more details?
Absolutely. I want to highlight an insightful article by Sudanese activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied, which emphasizes the transformative potential of technology like Starlink. Despite any personal opinions about Elon Musk, this technology has proven to be a game changer in both Sudan and Iran.

During the complete internet shutdown, Starlink became the only means of communication for many. Documentation organizations relied on evidence coming from Starlink connections, and some individuals even shared their Wi-Fi with entire neighborhoods.

Before the blackout, there were about 50,000 Starlink terminals in Iran, a number that has likely increased significantly. The demand surged during the Iran-Israel War, leading to prices skyrocketing due to smuggling. While Starlink receivers typically cost a few hundred dollars, they were reportedly being sold for up to $2,000 in Iran, making them accessible only to a privileged few.

This situation highlights the disparity in access to technology, particularly in regions like Kurdistan and Sistan and Baluchestan, where protests often face the harshest repression. These areas, marked by economic hardship, have limited access to resources like Starlink.

For years, many have been advocating for solutions to internet censorship and shutdowns. The concept of digital sovereignty, which ties internet access to national borders, needs to be reimagined. Satellite internet could provide a new model for connectivity, especially in crisis situations.

On a personal note, how are you doing? Have you been in touch with friends and family in Iran?
I’ve managed to connect with some family members and friends intermittently. Recently, I received a FaceTime call from someone I know who had been at the protests. Hearing their firsthand account of fleeing from military tanks and witnessing the aftermath of violence was surreal. They shared dark humor amidst the chaos, which was jarring to hear. It’s hard to fathom how one processes such trauma, especially from a distance as someone in the diaspora.