What's Happening?
Internet connectivity across Iran collapsed on Thursday as nationwide protests erupted over the country's economic crisis. According to web monitoring firms, the Iranian government, which tightly controls
internet access, is responsible for the blackout. The protests began in late December following a sharp drop in the value of Iran's currency, leading to shortages of goods and price spikes. The government has responded with a violent crackdown on protesters. Amir Rashidi, an Iranian cybersecurity researcher, stated that the country is nearly disconnected from the outside world. Doug Madory from Kentik confirmed the near-total blackout, which began around 11:30 a.m. ET. Monitoring organizations like NetBlocks and Cloudflare reported significant drops in connectivity.
Why It's Important?
The internet blackout in Iran highlights the government's control over information and its impact on civil liberties. This action disrupts communication, affecting both personal and business activities, and limits the ability of citizens to organize and protest. The blackout also underscores the broader issue of internet censorship in authoritarian regimes, raising concerns about human rights violations. For the international community, this event may influence diplomatic relations and discussions on internet freedom. The economic crisis driving the protests could further destabilize the region, affecting global markets and geopolitical dynamics.
