Iran Marks Third Month of Internet Blackout

Internet access in Iran has been cut off for three months, plunging the country into a 'digital darkness' due to anti-government protests and ongoing conflicts. According to NetBlocks, a UK-based internet freedom watchdog, the current internet shutdown, which began on February 28 following the start of hostilities, has lasted 39 consecutive days, setting a new record for the longest continuous disruption. Iran's internet connectivity rate has plummeted from its usual 90-100% during normal times to as low as 1%.

Currently, access is limited to state-run news and some basic services via the national information network. Authorities have granted internet access only to high-ranking officials, institutional representatives, and media outlets that disseminate the government's narrative. Ordinary citizens are relying on workaround methods such as proxy servers or virtual private networks (VPNs) purchased on the black market.

In January, Elon Musk announced plans to offer free Starlink satellite internet services to Iranians, leading to terminals being smuggled into the country. However, authorities have intensified controls by blocking GPS signals, confiscating terminals, and spreading fake applications.

Iran, which adopted the internet in the early 1990s and was once dubbed 'Iran's Silicon Valley' for its concentration of IT companies and startups, is now seeing its digital industry paralyzed by the prolonged internet blackout. This has resulted in financial difficulties for IT firms, mass layoffs, and restructuring movements across the sector.