**Iran’s Internet Goes Dark Amid Widespread Protests: What’s Really Going On?**
Iran is in chaos right now, and the internet is paying the price. Reports show that the country’s web connectivity has pretty much come to a standstill, leaving experts sounding the alarm about a “near-total disconnection from the world”. We’re talking full-on internet blackout here, folks.
If you’re wondering who’s behind this drastic move, let me give you the lowdown. Amir Rashidi, a cybersecurity researcher with the nonprofit Miaan Group, says it’s the Iranian authorities who are pulling the strings. He’s right, of course – they maintain strict control over the country’s internet access, and it’s no secret that they don’t take kindly to dissent.
Doug Madory, director of internet research at Kentik, agrees that Iran’s internet has been in “near-total blackout” since Thursday morning (8pm local time in Tehran). We’re talking around 11:30am ET, for our US-based friends. The evidence is there, with multiple internet monitoring firms like NetBlocks, Cloudflare, and IODA all reporting a dramatic drop in connectivity.
But what’s behind all this? Well, it started with a severe economic crisis. Iran’s currency took a nosedive in December, causing shortages and price hikes. Shops in Tehran’s bazaar have been shut for over a week – 11 days to be exact, according to The New York Times.
The government’s response has been brutal, to say the least. It’s no wonder people are wondering what’s next for this country.
So what does it all mean? For one, this internet blackout is a clear sign of the government’s willingness to control the flow of information and clamp down on any form of dissent. It’s a scary thought, but it’s not the first time we’ve seen this kind of thing happen in Iran.
