Iran and activists battle on the internet
As the Iranian government continues to search for ways to close the country to the internet, protestors and activists in that country work to find new ways to get their story out to the world.
Even though there would seem to be a lull in the major demonstrations that erupted in Iran after their elections, there is a quieter battle being waged between activists and the government on issues surrounding the internet. While the government tries to shut down all virtual ways in and out of the country, the activists seek ways to continue to get their side of the struggle to a larger audience.
Some analysts believe that the government is even working to identify individual computers being used, according to an AP story. One anonymous Iranian’s words tell this part of the story very clearly: “We are really worried about this. To protect myself, I just limit my posts on social networks, my tweets and also I deleted some parts of my personal blogs and my other notes on the Web.”
The Iranian government blocked a number of social networking sites shortly after the elections, such as Facebook and Twitter. They also blocked the Youtube site to keep activists from posting videos that portray the government in a bad light, such as the killing of a young female protestor. Activists have been successful so far in getting around many of the internet blocks imposed, so some news is still getting out. But the government is getting better at blocking techniques, and the tactic of targeting individual users and their computers could extend the blackout. Andrew Lewman, executive director of The Tor Project in Boston said,”I think the Iranian government is learning quickly how to control and contain these things.”
For one, they shut down the entire cell phone network, which is state-run in Iran, at one point during the large initial protests to keep any news inside the country. That included text messaging, of course. Now they are shutting those services down in areas of the city where protests are taking place. They are also believed to have temporarily shut down almost all internet traffic in and out of the country at that same time. This is becoming a very dangerous game of cat and mouse, while at the same time showing the rest of the world what sort of government is in charge in Iran. But will the world continue to pay attention if the words and images from Iran are no longer getting out?
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