An estimated 50,000 clandestine Starlink terminals are currently providing internet access to Iranians, circumventing a government-imposed internet shutdown that began on January 8th. The terminals are enabling citizens to communicate with the outside world and share information about ongoing anti-government protests, according to a report by Future Perfect.

The Iranian government shut down the internet in response to widespread protests that erupted in late December, triggered by deteriorating economic conditions and demands for an end to the rule of Ali Khamenei. The crackdown on protesters has been severe, with reports indicating at least 2,600 deaths and over 18,000 arrests, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Some estimates place the death toll as high as 20,000.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet access using a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The service is designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet to areas where terrestrial internet infrastructure is unreliable or unavailable. While Starlink is not officially available in Iran, the terminals are reportedly being smuggled into the country and activated using various methods, including virtual private networks (VPNs) and other circumvention tools.

The use of Starlink in Iran highlights the growing role of satellite internet in providing access to information in countries with restrictive internet policies. Shayna Korol, a Future Perfect fellow, noted that satellites are providing crucial insight into the ongoing conflict. The availability of Starlink is particularly significant given the collapse of the Iranian rial, now the world's least valuable currency, further fueling public discontent.

The Iranian government has not yet publicly commented on the presence of Starlink terminals within its borders. However, authorities have previously attempted to block access to satellite communications, suggesting they are aware of the technology's potential to undermine state control over information. The long-term impact of Starlink on the flow of information within Iran remains to be seen, but its current use demonstrates the increasing challenges governments face in controlling access to the internet in the age of satellite technology.