Iranians use Musk’s Starlink to pierce internet blackout during protests

Some Iranians were still using Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service despite a nationwide communications blackout, three people inside the ‍country have said, the latest example of Starlink being used to counter internet shutdowns in geopolitical flashpoints.

Iranian authorities have in recent days launched a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, including the near-complete shutdown of internet service, which is provided through fibre-optic cables and mobile phone towers.

The blackout has made it difficult to track the full scope of the protest movement. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said access should be restored “very soon”.

US-based rights group HRANA said by late Monday it had verified the deaths of 646 people, including 505 protesters, 113 military and security personnel and seven bystanders, and was investigating 579 more reported deaths.

Since the protests began on December 28, 10,721 people have been arrested, the group said.