tech
Iran's Internet is Back, Until It Isn't
Iran’s internet access has partially returned after nearly 90 days, the longest blackout in the country’s history. Yet authorities continue to throttle the available bandwidth, with Iranians reporting they are unable to upload or download videos and other content. Even this fragile connectivity could be cut at a moment’s notice, and people wonder when the next blackout will begin.
TL;DR
- Internet access in Iran has partially returned after a 90-day blackout, the longest in the country's history.
- Authorities are throttling bandwidth, limiting users' ability to upload or download content.
- The government's stated reasons for blackouts (preventing cyberattacks) are contradicted by evidence of increased threats during crackdowns.
- Internet restrictions have become a lucrative enterprise, with a tiered system favoring regime-connected individuals and a black market for circumvention tools.
- Prolonged internet blackouts are costly, with estimates of $37.35 million in direct losses per day.
- China provides surveillance technologies and jamming equipment that support Iran's censorship apparatus.
- Existing solutions like VPNs are ineffective during total blackouts, and satellite internet faces jamming and high costs.
- Direct-to-Cell satellite technology is identified as a promising solution, along with legislative proposals for resilient connectivity.
- Sanctions are proposed for individuals and entities responsible for Iran's internet control infrastructure.