Eighty-four days have passed since Iran’s complete internet blackout began, with online businesses now reporting severe losses. NetBlocks, an independent international internet governance watchdog, wrote regarding the situation: “With every passing hour of the internet blackout, social and economic divides widen.”
Nima Ghazi, head of Iran’s Electronic Commerce Association, shared findings from a field study and said that since the recent war began, 80% of online businesses have seen their sales fall by more than 50%.
According to him, around 75% of communication between businesses and customers usually happens through three main channels: Instagram, SMS, and messaging apps. However, restricted access to Instagram cut off a major part of this communication, while disruptions in SMS services further weakened the link between businesses and customers.
Ghazi also said Iran’s digital infrastructure remains heavily dependent on international services. Because of this, even domestic websites and apps face problems during internet disruptions. He added that the country’s cybersecurity systems also rely significantly on foreign infrastructure, meaning a blackout can cause parts of the system to stop functioning properly.
