Iran Imposes Near-Total Internet Blackout Amid Tensions with Israel

Iran's government has reportedly restricted internet access nationwide, limiting citizens' ability to access and share information with the outside world. According to reports, internet connectivity plummeted around 5:30 P.M. local time. The restrictions are allegedly in response to alleged Israeli cyberattacks. Iran has imposed internet shutdowns during periods of civil unrest and external conflict in the past, including a six-day full internet blackout in 2019. The current disruption impacts services such as VPNs and has blocked popular Western apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.

Key Takeaways:

• Iran's internet access plummeted around 5:30 P.M. local time, according to reports from Kentinc and Netblocks.
• The internet blackout is alleged to be a direct response to Israeli cyberattacks, according to an Iranian government spokesperson.
• Iran has a history of imposing internet shutdowns during periods of civil unrest and external conflict, including a six-day full internet blackout in 2019.
• The disruption impacts services such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which are commonly used in Iran to bypass censorship and access foreign websites.
• Cloudflare's data reveals that two major Iranian mobile network providers were effectively disconnected.
• The Miaan Group, a non-profit advocating for human rights in Iran, reports that Western apps like WhatsApp and Instagram have been blocked, along with the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Iran's National Information Network, a localised system of government-approved sites, remains accessible within the country.
• The internet blackout may be a response to Iran's claims that social media companies like Meta are seeding data to Israel.

Statistics:

• Iran's internet access plummeted around 5:30 P.M. local time, according to reports from Kentinc and Netblocks.
• Iran experienced a six-day full internet blackout in 2019, during widespread protests and a government crackdown.
• Cloudflare's data reveals that 2 major Iranian mobile network providers were effectively disconnected.
• The Miaan Group reports that 5 Western apps, including WhatsApp and Instagram, have been blocked.
• The internet blackout impacts services such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), used by an estimated 70% of Iranians to bypass censorship and access foreign websites.

Sources:

• Kentinc, Report: Iran's internet access plummeted around 5:30 P.M. local time.
• Netblocks, Iran's internet access restrictions.
• NBC News, Iran Imposes Near-Total Internet Blackout Amid Tensions with Israel.
• Cloudflare, Data reveals disruption to two major Iranian mobile network providers.
• The Miaan Group, Report: Iran blocks Western apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.
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