Internet shutdown in Iran: Digital isolation and the fallout from protests
Nearly 86 million Iranians have been living in near-total isolation from the outside world for several days following a widespread internet shutdown by authorities. This has disrupted email, text messaging, and other vital digital applications, while also severely disrupting telephone service. The move is seen as a government measure to control the flow of information as protests across the country intensify.
Historical context: The "kill switch" policy of the internet
This is not the first time Tehran has resorted to shutting down the internet. Iran has a long history of using what is known as "cyber sovereignty" or the national information network as a tool of control. During the November 2019 protests, which erupted over rising fuel prices, the country experienced a near-total internet blackout that lasted for a week, resulting in a significant media blackout. This scenario has been repeated to varying degrees in previous protests, as the authorities believe that cutting off communication reduces the ability of protesters to organize and mobilize, and prevents images and videos from reaching international media outlets.
Paralysis in daily life and the economy
On the ground, this outage has paralyzed many sectors. "We come to the office, but there's no internet," an employee at a private company in Tehran told AFP, his voice filled with anger. "I can't even contact my clients or conduct basic business." These outages are a severe blow to Iran's digital economy, where thousands of citizens and small businesses rely on platforms like Instagram (which was accessible before the latest block) to market their products, meaning they are incurring significant financial losses with each passing day without internet access.
National network and available alternatives
Despite blocking global platforms like YouTube, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram, authorities have maintained access to the "national network," an internal internet network subject to strict censorship and content filtering. This allows essential local applications such as banking, ride-hailing, and food delivery services to continue functioning, ensuring that life doesn't come to a complete standstill, but it remains isolated from the global information space.
Street scene: between the hustle and bustle of day and the tranquility of evening
In Tehran, life presents a paradoxical picture. During the day, cafes are bustling with patrons, shops are open, and the streets are congested with traffic, creating a sense of normalcy. However, as evening approaches, the situation changes drastically. Economic activity slows, and shopping centers and restaurants close early, despite the absence of an official curfew. A waiter at one cafe explains, "During the day, customers flock to meet each other and exchange news verbally instead of using phones, but by 6:00 PM, we have to close.".
The official narrative and the mutual accusations
Politically, pro-government demonstrations dominate the headlines of state-run newspapers, which describe the opposition protests as "riots" backed by foreign powers. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that hundreds of shops, ambulances, and mosques had been set ablaze, accusing the United States and Israel of orchestrating what he termed "terrorism." Banners displaying images of burned-out vehicles and slogans condemning vandalism are ubiquitous in Tehran, attempting to reinforce the government's narrative of the ongoing events.
