Censorship and Internet Shutdowns During the January 2026 Protests
Societal and Psychological Impact of Censorship
Fear and Self-Censorship
The regime’s widespread censorship created a climate of fear. Many citizens hesitated to participate in protests or share information online, fearing arrest or surveillance.
- Psychological Toll: The persistent threat of digital repression led to anxiety, mistrust, and a sense of helplessness among the populace.
Resilience and Adaptation
Despite repression, resilient activists developed covert channels for communication:
- Offline Networks: Secret meetings, printed leaflets, and word-of-mouth communication became vital.
- Encrypted Messaging: Use of end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal and Telegram secret chats increased.
Personal Stories
A teacher from Mashhad shared, “We couldn’t use the internet openly, so we organized small groups offline. It was dangerous, but we refused to be silenced.”
January 24, 2026 | 6:50 pm
