Iran’s total internet shutdown is a blueprint for breaking the web

(Source:WIRED)

On November 15, 2019, the Iranian government sparked outrage. The cost of fuel in the country, officials announced, would increase drastically. The cost of the first 60 litres of fuel purchased each month would increase by 50 per cent. Higher volumes would jump 300 per cent.

People took to the streets. The resulting protests and violent government crackdown was the deadliest unrest in the country for more than 40 years. Security forces used water cannons, tear gas and batons as around 200,000 protestors expressed political tensions going far beyond fuel price increases. At times, the authorities opened fire on unarmed protestors.