Irans wartime internet shutdown breaks grim record of prolonged disconnection

Iran’s Internet Shutdown Continues, Impacting Jobs and Businesses

Tehran, Iran - A global monitor has reported that Iran’s near-total internet shutdown is now the longest nationwide blackout on record in any country. Since January, connectivity to the global internet has been at around one percent of pre-war levels.

The shutdown was initially imposed after thousands were killed during nationwide protests in January. The government had stated that many online businesses could not survive more than three weeks without internet access. According to NetBlocks, the government’s economy is hemorrhaging tens of millions of dollars in direct damages each day due to the blackout.

A product designer at a technology firm in Karaj near Tehran was recently let go due to the shutdown. He expressed concerns about finding gainful employment in the foreseeable future. A senior data analyst at a Tehran-based firm also reported that his company is offering lower pay raises than expected to avoid downsizing employees.

The government has only allowed those who can “get the voice out” to have internet access, including top officials and state-affiliated figures. Those who are connected to the internet are either directly permitted or have paid exorbitant amounts to purchase proxy connections.

Iran’s minority of Iranians with internet access are mostly limited to accessing basic services and state-run news through a slow intranet. The government has not explained how it expects the country’s battered digital sector and globally isolated economy to recover in the coming months and years.

Source: Al Jazeera