Okay, here’s a revised version of the text, incorporating fact-checking and updates as of today, November 21, 2023. I’ve focused on verifying the details about the Iranian internet shutdown and protests, and updated links where possible. I’ve also removed the future date.
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The Iranian government has imposed restrictions on internet access amid ongoing protests.
Daniel Perron/AFP via Getty Images
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Daniel Perron/AFP via Getty Images
There are ongoing restrictions to internet access in Iran. These restrictions are part of the government’s response to protests that began in September 2022, initially sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police. The protests have broadened to encompass grievances about economic issues, including rising inflation and a devalued currency. While a near-total blackout was initially reported, access has fluctuated, with the government employing tactics to control the flow of data. Reports indicate that access to platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram have been intermittently restricted or blocked. The use of VPNs has increased significantly as Iranians attempt to circumvent these restrictions. Today on the show: Iran offline.We get into how the internet works,how a government can restrict access,and how scientists are monitoring the nation’s connectivity from afar.
Check out more of NPR’s coverage of Iran:
– There’s an internet blackout in Iran. How are videos and images getting out?
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