Iran vs Starlink: What Happens When a State Loses Control of the Internet

Iran shut down internet access as protests intensified — a tactic governments have used before to limit coordination and information flow.But this time, satellite internet complicated the picture.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda examine how Starlink factored into Iran’s internet restrictions, why the service was already illegal in the country, and what actually happens when a government tries to enforce a digital blackout — including against satellite connectivity.What this episode breaks downWhy Iran restricted internet access during unrestWhy Starlink was never legal inside Iran to begin withHow governments attempt to block satellite internetThe practical limits of internet shutdownsWhat this episode reveals about control, enforcement, and infrastructureWhy this mattersThis is not a debate about ideals or hypotheticals — it’s a look at how internet control works in practice when unrest, technology, and state power collide.Internet shutdowns are no longer just about cables and ISPs.As satellite connectivity spreads, governments face new challenges in enforcing restrictions — and new trade-offs when cutting access entirely.Iran offers a clear, real-world case of how this plays out.📌 Stay Connected📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/👤 Harinda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/