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A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

bbc.com

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Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#71

Post by AngryData »

throwawayheui57 wrote: post #28
mullingitover wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don’t know why you’re getting downvoted for pointing out the obvious: yes obviously the US and Israel will exploit the information system of their enemy if they can, and it’s absolutely rational to deny them the opportunity to do so.

Should internet and outside access be cut for people of Gaza and Lebanon too? Aren’t they targeted by Israel as well?

If they could credibly threaten your infrastructure then it makes sense. If they have no real organized hacking capabilities then no. But the US has already attacked Iran through computers before with Stuxnet and is the world leader in software and networking knowledge so it does make perfect sense for Iran to disconnect its networks from outside.

You might also have to consider the propaganda campaigns the US could run against an Iranian population with web access. If the population isn't more discontent now than it already was, "secretly" replacing commercial ad placements on western websites with US propaganda when the requests come from Iranian sources could make them discontent or inflame them further, which is bad for the Iranian government.

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#72

Post by ozgrakkurt »

nandomrumber wrote: post #48
coliveira wrote: post #38

[flagged]

If the options for Iran are to have illegitimate government controlled by Israel or the Ayatollahs, which would you pick?

Obviously Ayatollah as they are Iranian themselves. And Israel is already actively genociding another country so not sure if they wouldn't do it in Iran

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#73

Post by Pay08 »

bigyabai wrote: post #5
burnrate wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s 100% to prevent citizens from becoming organized. The regime is most fearful of this.

There's multiple motives, not just counter-organization. A media blackout prevents OSINT damage analysis, much like how the IDF and CENTCOM both censor reporting of attacks on their in-theater installations.

They could easily just censor that, especially since a dictatorship has far more control over the media compared to democracies.

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#74

Post by Pay08 »

ShabbyDoo wrote: post #8
bhouston wrote: post #2

I suspect the Internet blackout in Iran is not actually related to its citizens - it isn't about silencing its citizens. It is to prevent hacking and tracking by US and Israel of what is going on over there, it is defensive since it has been shown that Iran's connected infrastructure is thoroughly compromised.

Is Iran's domestic internet still fully operational (sans access to/from the outside world)? If so, I wouldn't think the cut-off would help much security-wise because a single Starlink terminal would allow the US/Israel domestic access.

I don't think it is. At least from Iranians I've heard from, domestic internet was online for a little while but was turned off in February or so.

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#76

Post by Mikhail_Edoshin »

Jabrov wrote: post #52
fchicken wrote: post #46

We are not the good guys in iran

You are not we

The person takes the responsibility; you are excluding him from the society that you implicitly claim to represent. These two are very different intentions.

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#77

Post by Pay08 »

rblatz wrote: post #13
mlmonkey wrote: post #12

Maybe we need to start a GoFundMe to sponsor some of these Starlink terminals.... ?

It’s the death penalty for anyone caught with one.

In all fairness, that's true for a lot of things in Iran, and some of those are not actually enforced or only enforced some of the time (which is where the forcibly transitioning gay people thing came from).

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#78

Post by pwndByDeath »

XorNot wrote: post #36
tantalor wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wouldn't they be easily detected from airborne drones?

No, because the collimating effect on the beam would still require you to have line of sight to the emitter, and if a drone is able to get that close without being intercepted then something else has already gone wrong. But this is also an example of weird absolutist thinking about military tactics: is it unbeatable? No. Does it complicate the surveillance and detection picture? Yes.

Are you under the impression that the starlink terminals in Iran are for US military?

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#79

Post by Mikhail_Edoshin »

adam_arthur wrote: post #20
bhouston wrote: post #2

I suspect the Internet blackout in Iran is not actually related to its citizens - it isn't about silencing its citizens. It is to prevent hacking and tracking by US and Israel of what is going on over there, it is defensive since it has been shown that Iran's connected infrastructure is thoroughly compromised.

The blackout started back in January before the US even got involved. Due to widespread protests and an attempt to crack down on coordination. This chain of events was widely reported. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran

Before the US started an open war. US has been involved in a relentless anti-Iranian campaign since before I was born (I'm 55).

Re: A network smuggling Starlink tech into Iran to beat internet blackout

#80

Post by dotancohen »

coliveira wrote: post #49
nandomrumber wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the options for Iran are to have illegitimate government controlled by Israel or the Ayatollahs, which would you pick?

Both are terrible options, why should I root for one of them? Look what Israel is doing in Gaza, are they gonna be good for Iran now?

[flagged]
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