In brief
Iran has imposed a severe internet shutdown affecting 92 million citizens since January 8, aimed at curtailing dissent during ongoing protests. The government has indicated that international internet access may be restricted permanently, leading to concerns of increasing digital isolation and censorship. Reports highlight that the current blackout poses grave implications for human rights and economic activities in Iran.
Iran is 10 days into one of the most extreme internet shutdowns in history, with 92 million citizens cut off from all internet services and even disruption to phone and text messaging.
The Iranian government cut off services on 8 January, apparently to stifle dissent and prevent international scrutiny of a government crackdown on protesters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the internet was cut off in response to what he described as externally directed 'terrorist operations'.
Speculation regarding the return of internet services is growing. On 15 January, the news website IranWire reported comments from government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani, indicating that international web access may remain unavailable until at least the Iranian New Year in late March.
Internet freedom observers at FilterWatch have raised alarms that the government is hastily implementing measures to sever Iran’s access from the global internet. They caution that future access might never return to its prior state of openness.
\u201cThere should be no expectation of reopening international internet access,\u201d FilterWatch reported, citing unnamed government sources. Responses from journalists also suggest internet access will not be restored in the near future.
Over the years, Iran has maintained strict control over internet usage, often utilizing shutdowns during moments of civil unrest, echoing previous incidents in 2019 and 2022. In the latest shutdown, Access Now emphasized the critical need for full restoration of internet access to ensure accountability amidst reported violations of human rights.
Furthermore, internet monitoring initiative FilterWatch suggests that the current shutdown heralds a deeper trend toward 'extreme digital isolation,' with government plans for a tiered system of internet access looming on the horizon.
As Iran navigates this unprecedented blackout, reports including a staggering number of protester deaths and arrests reveal the urgent human cost of the government's communication crackdown.
