Iran: Elon Musk activated his satellite internet service amid massive protests and strong government censorship

Between massive protests in iranbillionaire Elon Musk activated your Starlink satellite internet service in that country, after the Islamic government decided to abruptly cut the connection in response to the demonstrations.

The owner of Tesla and Space X made the decision after the US Treasury Department on Friday authorized US technology companies to expand their business in Iran amid recent events.

Iran is experiencing a wave of strong protests throughout the country triggered by the death of Mahsa Aminia 22-year-old woman detained by the morality police; and that she was accused of carrying a “improper attire”. There are already at least 26 dead in the face of government repression.

Elon Musk’s confirmation on Twitter.

In this context, Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured that the authorization of technology companies will allow counter the control efforts implemented by the Islamic government. “It is clear that the Iranian government fears its own people,” Blinken said in a statement.

Joe Biden’s official made a post on Twitter to that effect. And it was through that same social network that Elon Musk confirmed his decision. “Activating Starlink”, wrote the billionaire on the platform that he once wanted to buy.

This is a similar measure to adopted in Ukraine, where it allowed internet connection throughout the country, which had been affected by the Russian invasion launched on February 24. Through Starlink, the Iranian population could access a connection against the will of the government, which maintains tight control.

The US authorization comes days after Musk requested a export license to provide services to Iran. The White House maintains a hard sanctions regime to firms doing business with Tehran. That can also be seen in the plot of the Venezuelan-Iranian plane held in the country.

People demonstrate against Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran, near the United Nations on September 20, 2022 in New York City.
People demonstrate against Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran, near the United Nations on September 20, 2022 in New York City.STEPHANIE KEITH – GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA

Modification of the export license will allow access to software, including anti-virus and malware toolsas well as services of cloud computing and video conferencing that allow the Iranian people access to “information based on facts”, according to the US Treasury.

However, US officials acknowledged to the press that the decision does not have an immediate impact because “it does not eliminate every tool of repression in communications,” according to the AFP agency.

Starlink is a division of spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX, which has been in business since 2019. The firm places thousands of satellites in orbit around the Earth to provide broadband access globally.

The company has tried to provide internet access to the Ukrainian population during the Russian invasion and has won contracts with the US military since 2021, according to the agency. AP.

Starlink app was the most downloaded in Ukraine
Starlink app was the most downloaded in Ukraine

The name of the company became known worldwide from the war in Ukraine. With the Internet signals collapsed and intervened, the CEO of Space X promised to provide the invaded country access to your satellite signal for free. For it, sent its antennas to the Slavic country so that they could connect free of charge to its network service.

Since the services of star link began to operate on Ukrainian territory, managed to vastly outperform global downloads and users. SensorTower, a company that collects data app store Y googleplay, It indicated that the Starlink app was downloaded 21,000 times worldwide and almost 100,000 times in Ukraine in the last two weeks.

Starlink provides internet services through a gigantic network of satellites. This project is intended for people who live in remote areas and cannot access Internet of high speed

People create an art exhibit against Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi near the United Nations on September 20, 2022 in New York City.
People create an art exhibit against Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi near the United Nations on September 20, 2022 in New York City.STEPHANIE KEITH – GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA

In order to access Starlink and enable the receiving antennas, you have to download an application that coordinates the direction of the antenna so that it receives the signal from the satellite and reproduces it on the different devices.

As LA NACION publishedthe billionaire registered his company in Argentina, as published in the Official Gazette in March.

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Iran: Elon Musk activated his satellite internet service amid massive protests and strong government censorship