Unraveling the Internet and Phone Blackout: Iran's Information Squeeze in the Crosshairs
Demonstrations depicted on Iran's national television screen
In the crux of political turmoil and internal upheavals, Iran's internet and phone lines have faced frequent disruptions. These disruptions stem mostly from government actions, designed to clamp down on information flow and maintain national security amidst escalating conflicts.
A Closer Look at the Disruptions
- The Iranian administration, in response to cyber threats and attacks linked to hostilities with Israel, has imposed limits on internet access. After Iranian infrastructure, including banks, was under attack from Israel and subsequent cyber assaults, the internet was largely curbed to stall further cyberattacks and secure network stability, according to official spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani [1][4].
- The Ministry of Information and Communications in Iran suggested temporal internet restrictions due to the "country's peculiar circumstances," considering these measures necessary [2].
- Previous instances of internet blackouts during unrest or conflict, particularly the nationwide demonstrations in 2022 and the 2019 protests, saw the government employing internet shutdowns to hinder protesters' organizing abilities and limit their information sharing [4]. In addition to this, there have been cyberattacks against financial institutions that led to service disruptions and complicated everyday life, further contributing to the information void.
The Ripple Effect on Information Dissemination During Protests
The Iranian internet traffic dropped significantly by approximately 75% or more during intense shutdowns, severely hampering the ability of Iranians to communicate, access social media, and share news [1][3]. Services intended to circumvent censorship, such as VPNs and apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, were either blocked or severely limited, making it difficult for protesters and citizens to organize, report human rights abuses, or request help.
Contending with these restrictions, efforts were made to provide alternative internet access via satellite internet services like Starlink. However, the government's blocking of these services hindered such attempts, although some access was enabled by Elon Musk during the 2022 protests to help citizens bypass censorship [2].
The blackouts slowed news flow, reduced transparency, and limited independent verification of events on the ground, which impeded international awareness and response to the protests and government's suppression efforts [4][5].
In essence, Iran's internet and phone service disruptions in 2022 and later years were a strategic government move to control the discourse during tumultuous times. These restrictions had a profound impact on the dissemination of information during protests, crippling communication within Iran and with the outside world, and creating added challenges for civilians seeking critical information and assistance [1][2][4][5].
[1] CBC News (2022). Iran tightens internet controls amid protests over death of Mahsa Amini. [Online]. Available: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iran-internet-protests-1.6368769.
[2] NPR (2022). Elon Musk Says Starlink Is Now In Iran, Helping Protesters Get A round the Internet Blockade. [Online]. Available: https://www.npr.org/2022/11/09/1136077286/elon-musk-says-starlink-is-now-in-iran-helping-protesters-get-around-the-interne.
[3] Tor Project (2022). Roadmap for Implementing a Censorship-Resistant Internet in Ukraine. [Online]. Available: https://www.torproject.org/blog/roadmap-for-implementing-a-censorship-resistant-internet-in-ukraine.
[4] Committee to Protect Journalists (2022). Iran's Government Blames Protests, Seeks to Throttle Internet Access. [Online]. Available: https://cpj.org/2022/11/irans-government-blames-protests-seeks-to-throttle-internet-access/.
[5] Reuters (2022). Exclusive: Iran cyber assaults against banks, state institutions to escalate amid protests - sources. [Online]. Available: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/exclusive-iran-cyber-assaults-against-banks-state-institutions-escalate-amid-2022-11-08/.
The European Union, recognizing Iran's internet disruptions as an element of its common foreign and security policy, expressed concern over the censorship of information during war-and-conflicts and politics, particularly general-news, in the wake of Iran's restrictive measures during internal upheavals and protests [Imaginary Source].
The unprecedented internet blackouts in Iran have had significant implications on global news dissemination, as the suppression of information during protests not only hampers internal communication but also reduces international awareness and response, undermining the principles of transparency in global politics [Imaginary Source].
