US EditionIranians tap Musk's Starlink to skirt internet blackout: Report
Iranian authorities use military-grade jamming to disrupt Starlink service, causing over 80% packet loss amid protests, while about 100,000 terminals operate illegally nationwide.
- On Jan 12, Reuters reported some Iranians still use Elon Musk's Starlink despite a nationwide blackout lasting over 84 hours, with connectivity near 1% after Iranian authorities launched a near-complete shutdown.
- Iranian authorities began deploying military-grade jamming systems to disrupt Starlink, while analysts said the regime likely triggered an electronic-warfare `kill switch` to block protest areas.
- IranWire reports that smuggled Starlink terminals faced about 30% initial traffic disruption rising to more than 80%, leaving patchy service across Iran.
- The blackout inflicts steep economic loss estimated at roughly $1.56 million per hour, while security forces making arrests have detained more than 200, Human Rights Activists in Iran report thousands detained.
- Given Starlink's role in Ukraine and other conflicts, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he plans to speak with Elon Musk about restoring internet in Iran, while SpaceX/Starlink did not comment on disruptions.
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113 Articles
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Tehran is accused of trying to stifle the repression that in Iran by operating a "digital blackout". Authoritarian governments are increasingly resorting to it all over the world. Francesca Musiani, researcher at the CNRS, explains to TF1info the workings and implications for freedom.
Yasna Alipour fled Iran thirteen years ago – now she lives and works in Sundsvall. After the Iranian regime shut down the internet and all international communication, she is one of many who are now worried about their relatives in their homeland.
Why Iran can’t afford to shut down the internet forever – even if the world doesn’t act
As citizens around the world prepared to welcome the new year, Iranians began taking to the streets to protest their country’s deepening economic crisis. Spurred by the continued devaluation of the Iranian currency against the US dollar, as well as crippling inflation, the unrest is the latest in years of economic pain and protest. The Iranian regime initially acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters’ concerns, distributing hopelessly inade…
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