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Iran internet shutdown: Tech solutions

Hacker News: Front Page •
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Five days into Iran's internet shutdown, international phone lines are trickling back but data remains offline. A Hacker News user is seeking resilient communication methods that bypass local ISPs entirely. Technical suggestions are flooding in, focusing on tools that can operate independently of centralized infrastructure during prolonged digital blackouts.

Commenters are exploring peer-to-peer and satellite workarounds. Solutions range from mesh networks like BitChat and Meshtastic to DNS tunneling and smuggled Starlink terminals. Others suggest older tech, like 56k modems over working phone lines or HAM radio, to move data without exposing user locations to state surveillance.

The core challenge involves balancing connectivity with security. Users warn that broadcasting signals can reveal your position in a 'dark forest' environment. While amateur radio offers a lifeline, it carries significant risk. The discussion highlights a desperate need for accessible, low-power tech that protects activists during government-imposed blackouts.