Why Dictators Take Out the Internet

Internet shutdowns as a tool of digital repression are explored, focusing on how governments use them to suppress dissent, control information, and even rig elections. Steve Feldstein, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, explains that shutdowns have increased globally, often paired with violence to maintain control, as seen in Iran. The discussion covers various forms of shutdowns, from complete blackouts to platform blocking and throttling. Alternative solutions like mesh networks (BitChat) and satellite internet (Starlink) are examined, highlighting the ethical and practical considerations of relying on private entities like Starlink, which can selectively restore internet based on the whims of its executives. Feldstein warns that increasing anti-democratic activities correlate with the rise of digital oppression, including surveillance, censorship, and disinformation, even in countries with private tech companies.