Iranians Utilize SpaceX’s Starlink to Share Protest Information
BANGKOK — Iranian protesters have significantly improved their ability to communicate about the violent national protests thanks to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, which has reduced fees to help circumvent the Iranian government’s intense efforts to block information. Activists reported this development on Wednesday.
This initiative from Elon Musk’s aerospace company comes in the wake of a total communication blackout in Iran since January 8, affecting the country’s 85 million citizens, as demonstrations escalated over the crumbling economic situation and currency depreciation.
Although SpaceX has not publicly confirmed this decision, activists informed The Associated Press that as of Tuesday, anyone in Iran with the receivers could access Starlink for free.
“Starlink has been essential,” stated Mehdi Yahyanejad from the Net Freedom Pioneers, which aids in smuggling Starlink units into Iran. He referenced footage released recently depicting numerous deceased individuals at a forensic center near Tehran, as a critical turning point in how the world perceives the situation.
The death toll has reportedly climbed to over 2,500 since protests began on December 28, which includes both protesters and security personnel, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency based in the U.S.
While Starlink is officially prohibited in Iran, as the government has not sanctioned the devices’ import or use, activists worry they could face accusations of espionage tied to U.S. or Israeli support, punishable by death. The first units were smuggled into the country during the 2022 protests against the mandatory hijab law, following Musk’s successful push for a waiver from U.S. sanctions on Starlink.
Over 50,000 Starlink units are believed to have been brought into Iran, with users taking measures to disguise them as solar panels and employing VPNs to hide their online activities. Despite the government’s attempts to block Starlink signals, efforts have had limited success in urban areas, indicating resource constraints.
Though mobile international calling resumed on Tuesday, incoming calls to Iran remain blocked. Compared to the 2019 protests where the government effectively suppressed communications for over a week, the current protestors are operating under more robust communication channels due to Starlink’s prevalence.
Experts caution against reliance on a single provider like Starlink, as it poses risks, including potential executive control over information availability, suggesting that more proactive measures will be observed from states wary of such capabilities.
