As the war between Israel and Iran hits the one-week mark, Iranians have spent nearly half of the conflict in a near-communication blackout, unable to connect not only with the outside world but also with their neighbors and loved ones across the country.

Civilians are left unaware of when and where Israel will strike next, despite Israeli forces issuing warnings through their Persian-language online channels. When the missiles land, disconnected phone and web services mean not knowing for hours or days if their family or friends are among the victims. That’s left many scrambling on various social media apps to see what’s happening — again, only a glimpse of life able to reach the internet in a nation of over 80 million people.

Activists see it as a form of psychological warfare for a nation all-too familiar with state information controls and targeted internet shutdowns during protests and unrest.

  • Avid Amoeba@lemmy.ca
    5·
    11 days ago

    I have a feeling that the internet and other comms would be shutdown or heavily censored in any country undergoing a coup attempt. Most countries have emergency powers for stuff like this and coups aren’t reserved just for autocratic regime’s like Iran’s.

    • Basic Glitch@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      2·
      11 days ago

      coups aren’t reserved just for autocratic regime’s like Iran’s.

      I think I’m picking up what you’re putting down, and yeah I agree. Any suggestions for how to prepare for a work around?

      heavily censored in any country undergoing a coup attempt.

      I guess it could be way worse, but the internet is already a different place than it was this time last year.

      • Avid Amoeba@lemmy.ca
        3·
        11 days ago

        I guess ham radio, Meshtastic, neighbours. In all likelihood, when it happens to us, unless we’re participating in some resistance already, we’ll just be getting the announcement of the result and then figure out how to react to it.