Background on the Situation
Amir, a 32-year-old Iranian content creator, diligently checks the limited websites available in the Islamic Republic daily to determine when internet connectivity might be restored. Since authorities imposed a block on January 8th, Amir has been unable to produce any content and worries about his future.
Amir’s livelihood depends on the internet, as he creates video game and movie reviews for platforms like Instagram and YouTube. The internet shutdown occurred amid widespread protests in Iran, which began in late December over rising living costs but evolved into a movement against the theocratic regime that has been in power since 1979.
The government reported 3,117 deaths resulting from what they described as “foreign-directed riots.” However, human rights organizations believe the actual death toll could be significantly higher. Verifying these numbers is challenging due to the internet disruptions, with organizations suggesting that the shutdown aims to conceal the extent of the crackdown.
Government’s Perspective
The Iranian government denies these accusations, stating that they were only cutting off internet access when confronted with “terrorist operations” originating from abroad. According to the foreign minister, Abás Araqchi, dialogue with protesters was ongoing before the internet block.
“Waiting Hours”
Millions of Iranians still rely on the local intranet, which offers numerous services while isolating users from the rest of the world. Accessible through the intranet are public transportation and taxi apps, banking services, online payments, local news websites, and curated video content.
Several local messaging apps—Bale, Eitaa, and Rubika—have resumed functioning since last week, as reported by local media. However, Amir has never used them before and does not plan to start now, citing confidentiality concerns.
Economic Impact
The internet blackout has affected the entire economy, costing between 4,000 and 6,000 billion rials daily (approximately $3-4 million USD) according to the Telecommunications Minister, Ehsan Chitsaz. NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, estimated a daily cost of over $37 million for Iran due to the ongoing shutdown.
Iraj, a 51-year-old truck driver, described the slow administrative processes at border crossings, which cause long waits. Similar concerns exist in the airline sector, where online international flight bookings are unstable, leading to fewer customer calls for travel agencies.
Intermittent Access
In recent days, internet users have occasionally accessed their email or some foreign websites like Google, but access remains sporadic. Amin, another 29-year-old content creator, maintains optimism that the internet block won’t last long, as it would ultimately harm the government’s interests.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Amir? A 32-year-old Iranian content creator who relies on the internet for his work, creating video game and movie reviews.
- Why is Amir concerned? The internet shutdown has left him unable to produce content and worried about his future.
- What sparked the protests? The protests began in late December over rising living costs but evolved into a broader movement against Iran’s theocratic regime.
- What is the government’s justification for the internet block? The government claims it was necessary to counter “foreign-directed riots” and terrorist operations.
- How has the economy been affected? The internet blackout has caused significant daily losses, estimated between $3-4 million USD, impacting various sectors including transportation and travel services.
