Iran appears to ease internet blackout as cost of shutdown mounts

Iranian authorities appear to be easing, but not fully lifting, internet restrictions imposed on January 8th following escalating anti-government protests. Experts believe the partial restoration, which began around January 16th, signals the growing economic cost of the shutdown, estimated at up to $36 million per day. While some services like Google, Bing, and ChatGPT are reportedly accessible to some users in certain provinces, many social media and messaging platforms remain blocked. Data shows uneven internet traffic patterns, suggesting continued throttling of connections. The blackout has obscured violence against the population and disrupted economic activity, prompting the regime to selectively restore access despite ongoing costs.

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