Nearly three weeks into one of the most extreme internet shutdowns in history, some of Iran's 92 million citizens are beginning to get back online - but access appears to be tightly controlled. The country cut off internet access on 8 January, in what is widely seen as an attempt to stem the flow of information about a government crackdown on protesters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the internet was blocked in response to what he described as 'terrorist operations'. Now there is evidence that some internet access has returned - but independent analysis indicates much of the country is still effectively cut off from the outside world.
Iran's reformist Shargh newspaper has reported that some officials had claimed mobile internet had been restored. However, it said many users still do not have full access and can only connect intermittently and for very limited periods, often after repeated attempts. Firms that monitor web traffic say there are signs of the internet being used inconsistently, raising questions about who is able to connect, and under what conditions.
What we're seeing isn't a return to normal, said Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at network intelligence firm Kentik. Major platforms are being allowed and blocked at different times during the day. Independent internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported similar findings. Madory indicated that this pattern could suggest authorities are testing a new system to block web traffic, making real-time changes to the access restrictions.
Human rights organizations assert that the control over internet access has significantly limited information about the crackdown on protesters. By 26 January, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported confirming the deaths of 5,925 protesters, with warnings that the final toll could be several times higher as an additional 17,091 reported deaths are currently under review.
Internet rights observers noted that unrest may have granted authorities the chance to implement long-planned efforts to tighten control over the internet—measures that would likely have faced more resistance during normal conditions. Reports indicate that internet access in Iran has effectively been divided into multiple levels, ranging from a complete shutdown to normal access, with current connectivity still far from a full restoration.
Many foreign messaging apps, including WhatsApp, will remain restricted. There are some local communication platforms available inside the country; however, observers have raised security and privacy concerns about their use. Despite ongoing restrictions, some users have reported being able to connect intermittently to the outside world using services like Google Meet, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, or FaceTime.
Iran's Minister of Communications stated that the daily losses from the shutdown amount to nearly five trillion tomans ($35 million). Amid growing economic pressure, authorities appear to be allowing limited forms of internet access for specific businesses, a strategy that some analysts suggest may be part of a plan to manage connectivity more selectively.
As the situation unfolds, experts warn that the patterns in web traffic data suggest that a full restoration of internet access in Iran may not occur, further isolating the nation amid its ongoing political and social turmoil.
Iran's reformist Shargh newspaper has reported that some officials had claimed mobile internet had been restored. However, it said many users still do not have full access and can only connect intermittently and for very limited periods, often after repeated attempts. Firms that monitor web traffic say there are signs of the internet being used inconsistently, raising questions about who is able to connect, and under what conditions.
What we're seeing isn't a return to normal, said Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at network intelligence firm Kentik. Major platforms are being allowed and blocked at different times during the day. Independent internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported similar findings. Madory indicated that this pattern could suggest authorities are testing a new system to block web traffic, making real-time changes to the access restrictions.
Human rights organizations assert that the control over internet access has significantly limited information about the crackdown on protesters. By 26 January, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported confirming the deaths of 5,925 protesters, with warnings that the final toll could be several times higher as an additional 17,091 reported deaths are currently under review.
Internet rights observers noted that unrest may have granted authorities the chance to implement long-planned efforts to tighten control over the internet—measures that would likely have faced more resistance during normal conditions. Reports indicate that internet access in Iran has effectively been divided into multiple levels, ranging from a complete shutdown to normal access, with current connectivity still far from a full restoration.
Many foreign messaging apps, including WhatsApp, will remain restricted. There are some local communication platforms available inside the country; however, observers have raised security and privacy concerns about their use. Despite ongoing restrictions, some users have reported being able to connect intermittently to the outside world using services like Google Meet, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, or FaceTime.
Iran's Minister of Communications stated that the daily losses from the shutdown amount to nearly five trillion tomans ($35 million). Amid growing economic pressure, authorities appear to be allowing limited forms of internet access for specific businesses, a strategy that some analysts suggest may be part of a plan to manage connectivity more selectively.
As the situation unfolds, experts warn that the patterns in web traffic data suggest that a full restoration of internet access in Iran may not occur, further isolating the nation amid its ongoing political and social turmoil.
