Iranians are leaving the country to access internet : NPR

Key Points:

• Since the start of the war over a month ago, Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout for its nearly 90 million citizens, blocking access to the global internet and allowing only limited government-approved communications.
• Many Iranians are traveling to border areas, especially eastern Turkey, to access Wi-Fi and communicate with family abroad, as domestic internet access is heavily restricted and monitored.
• Iran has developed a centralized internet infrastructure with state-controlled chokepoints and a National Information Network (NIN) that allows limited internal connectivity but isolates citizens from global information.
• The regime has arrested hundreds for using unauthorized internet services like Starlink or "white SIM" cards, which offer limited global access, and harshly punishes those who communicate with foreign media.
• Experts and Iranians describe the internet shutdown as a war crime, as it prevents people from receiving warnings about attacks and disrupts education and business, with many small enterprises facing bankruptcy due to the loss of online connectivity.