How Activists in Iran Are Using Starlink to Stay Online
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Iranian authorities imposed a near-complete communications blackout during recent protests, shutting down internet, cellular networks, and online services to limit information flow.
- Activists and engineers circumvented the blackout by smuggling thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran, enabling them to share real-time images and updates despite government restrictions.
- In response, the Iranian government deployed military-grade electronic weapons to disrupt Starlink's GPS signals, a tactic rarely used outside conflict zones like Ukraine.
- The presence of about 50,000 Starlink terminals in Iran reflects years of covert planning by activists and civil society groups, supported by a U.S. sanctions exemption allowing communication tools in the country.
- This situation highlights the increasing difficulty governments face in enforcing
