Iran moves towards permanent global internet shutdown after protests, report says

Key Highlights

• Thousands of people have reportedly been killed, though demonstrations have slowed following a harsh crackdown. The blackout has severely restricted the flow of information from the country and is among the longest and most severe internet shutdowns in history, surpassing Egypt’s 2011 shutdown during the Tahrir Square protests.
• A government spokesperson has reportedly said global internet access will remain blocked until at least Nowruz, the Persian new year on 20 March. More from World Giorgia Meloni posts anime selfie with Japan's PM Sanae Takaichi as Tokyo celebrates her birthday | WATCH US senators call on Trump to ease India’s 30% import duty on pulseInternational concerns over long-term impactA former US state department official familiar with internet censorship described the idea of a permanent break from the global internet as “plausible and terrifying”, while warning of serious economic consequences.“They may attempt it, but the economic and cultural impact would be enormous, and there is a risk of overreach,” the official said. Rashidi said Iranian authorities appear satisfied with the current level of connectivity and believe the shutdown has helped them regain control. Years in the makingThe current blackout is the culmination of a 16-year effort by the Iranian government to tighten control over the country’s internet infrastructure. One key element of this strategy is “whitelisting” — selectively allowing certain users access to the global internet while blocking it for others. Researchers from Project Ainita and the Outline Foundation said the system was likely enabled by technology supplied by China.
• It relies on high-capacity devices known as middleboxes, which attach to network cables to monitor and manipulate internet traffic. Quick ReadsView AllIran protests revive the 2011 Arab Spring question: Does regime change improve livelihoods?UN high seas treaty comes into effect, pushing to protect 30% of global oceans by 2030These systems can be scaled to inspect internet traffic across an entire country, allowing authorities to monitor.