Iran has implemented extensive internet shutdowns in response to ongoing anti-government protests, leading to a significant reliance on satellite internet services like Starlink for communication. While Starlink reportedly offers free access to users in Iran, its use remains illegal, carrying substantial risks. Concurrently, the Iranian government is advancing plans for a national internet system, aiming to control information flow and potentially permanently limit access to the global internet.
Internet Shutdown and Protests
A widespread internet shutdown began in Iran on January 8, affecting millions of citizens and disrupting phone and text messaging services. The Iranian government stated the shutdown was a response to "externally directed terrorist operations" and to prevent the use of foreign social media platforms for "organizing violence and unrest" amidst anti-government protests. These protests have been driven by concerns over the country's economy and currency depreciation.
Various human rights organizations have reported casualties during the unrest, with figures ranging from over 2,400 to 3,300 protester deaths, and approximately 150 security force personnel deaths. These numbers are believed to be higher, but verification is challenging due to the severe communication blackout. The current shutdown has surpassed the duration of previous internet outages in November 2019 and September 2022.
Starlink's Role in Internet Access
Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, has emerged as a key tool for bypassing the internet restrictions. Its constellation of approximately 9,500 low-earth orbit satellites provides high-speed internet access, particularly where traditional connections are unavailable or compromised. The system functions by relaying internet signals from ground base stations to user-equipped receivers, making it difficult for authorities to censor as it does not rely on local telecom providers.
Multiple sources in Iran have reported that Starlink services have been active without subscription payments since Tuesday (referring to the event's timeline). This development reportedly followed discussions between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk regarding Starlink access in Iran. SpaceX has not officially confirmed a fee waiver. Estimates suggest between 50,000 and 100,000 Starlink units are present in Iran, having been purchased abroad, smuggled into the country, and traded on the black market.
Legal Status, Risks, and Government Countermeasures
The use of Starlink in Iran is illegal, as the service is not officially licensed to operate in the country. Iranian parliament criminalized the use of Starlink devices in 2022, with penalties potentially including up to two years in prison and accusations of espionage, which can carry severe sentences.
Iranian authorities have reportedly taken measures to counter Starlink usage. These include searching for Starlink dishes, particularly on rooftops, and attempting to jam signals using "military-grade" tactics. Reports indicate that while jamming efforts have occurred, they appear localized and authorities may lack the technology for widespread suppression. SpaceX has reportedly issued firmware updates to circumvent these countermeasures. Users often conceal their antenna equipment, sometimes disguising them as solar panels, and utilize Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to mask their IP addresses. Authorities have also reportedly resorted to physical confiscations of devices.
Iran's National Internet Plan and Digital Isolation
The Iranian government is reportedly planning a permanent separation from the global internet, aiming to make access to international online services a "governmental privilege." Under this proposed system, individuals with security clearance or those who pass government checks would access a filtered version of the global internet, while others would be restricted to a national internet, a domestic network isolated from the broader world. Some reports suggest that international web access may not be restored until at least late March, coinciding with the Persian New Year, and may not return to its previous form.
This plan represents the culmination of a 16-year effort by the Iranian regime to control the country's internet. Early efforts began around 2009, leading to the establishment of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace by 2012 to develop a domestic internet. Over the past decade, authorities have incentivized businesses and service providers to relocate infrastructure within Iran. Researchers observed the construction of a domestically connected internet separate from the global network by 2015.
The regime's control involves a sophisticated system for filtering and whitelisting internet traffic, potentially utilizing high-capacity middleboxes for monitoring and manipulation. The national internet offers a limited set of government-built websites and applications, which are monitored and isolated. Analysts caution that these plans may face challenges due to economic and technical factors, as well as internal power dynamics. If implemented, Iran's internet control system would resemble those in China and Russia.
Human Rights Concerns and Information Control
Human rights groups, including the UN's Human Rights office and Access Now, have criticized the blanket internet blackout, stating it endangers individuals, impacts livelihoods, and enables authorities to conceal human rights abuses. The internet shutdown has complicated the collection and verification of evidence regarding ground activities, with international news organizations facing challenges in reporting from within Iran.
The Iranian government has a history of digital surveillance, employing methods like phishing to access phone data and maintaining a domestic internet service that blocks Western social media platforms, necessitating the use of VPNs. Experts suggest the government seeks to control the narrative, normalize casualties, and potentially prepare for escalations of violence by restricting information dissemination. Starlink has been noted as vital for conveying information internationally during the blackout, providing a "small window" into ongoing events and helping to keep both the international community and individuals within Iran informed, thereby preventing the full stifling of information flow seen in earlier protests.