I’m sinking deeper,
Into the virtual world.

What am I going to do,
When the lights go out?
What am I going to do,
When I can’t move about?
What am I going to do,
When all is in doubt?

What am I going to do,
When there’s no electricity?
What am I going to do,
When the internet’s not free?
What am I going to do,
When you’re no longer with me?
What am I going to do,
Without you?

By: ElRoyPoet © 2017

“For many people, going without the internet even for a few hours is unthinkable. But if it did stop working, the impact might not be what you’d expect; it would be worse because we have become codependent.” By: ElRoyPoet

Iran is systematically crippling Starlink, the satellite internet service said to be almost impossible to jam. Military-grade GPS jammers deployed since January 8 have cut satellite internet performance by as much as 80% in parts of the country, according to Amir Rashidi, director of digital rights at the Miaan Group, a U.S.-based nonprofit focused on Iranian internet censorship and digital rights. “The level of violence by the government is unlike anything I have ever witnessed,” Rashidi wrote on LinkedIn. “The Islamic Republic is killing to survive.”

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 572 people have been killed and more than 10,600 arrested since protests erupted on December 28. Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, said the real toll could be far higher. Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi warned of a potential “massacre under the cover of a sweeping communications blackout.” The nationwide internet shutdown has disconected 85 million Iranians from the outside world. Excerpt from: Iran crippled Starlink and why the rest of the world should worry

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An internet shutdown imposed by the regime has stretched into its fourth day in Iran, various digital monitoring groups say, with widespread reports of limited mobile phone and text messaging services nationwide. It comes as Iranian officials seek to blunt the spread of anti-government demonstrations across the country. The protests were initially fueled by angst over Iran’s economic situation but have expanded to include wider demands for political change.

Last Thursday, signs that Iran’s leadership was trying to limit the spread of videos of demonstrations developed, with several internet monitoring groups pointing out that Internet Protocol version 6 traffic had largely ground to a halt. IPv6 is a standard widely used for mobile internet devices, indicating the government had initially focused on curtailing the spread of footage deemed damaging to the country’s reputation. Excerpt from: When will the internet be restored in Iran?

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But the internet is not inviolable. In theory, it could be taken away, on a global or national scale, for a stretch of time. Cyberattacks are one possibility. Malicious hackers could bring the internet to a standstill by releasing software that aggressively targeted vulnerabilities in routers – the devices that forward internet traffic. Shutting down domain name servers – the internet’s address books – would also cause massive disruption, preventing websites from loading, for example.

Cutting the deep-sea cables that carry vast volumes of internet traffic between continents would also cause significant disruptions by disconnecting one part of the world from another. These cables may not be easy targets for attackers, but they are sometimes damaged accidentally. In 2008, people in the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia were plagued by major internet outages on three separate occasions when submarine cables were cut or interfered with. Some governments also have “kill switches” that can effectively turn off the internet in their country. Excerpt from: What if the internet stopped working for a day?

The Modern World’s Fragile Digital Backbone

The Illusion of Security in Digital Dependence

In today’s society, the internet has become the backbone of daily life. From communication and commerce to education and government services, we have placed our trust — and our livelihoods — into the vast digital ecosystem. While this integration of global systems offers unparalleled convenience, it also creates a fragile dependency. When society relies solely on online systems, it risks catastrophic consequences if those systems are suddenly severed. This treatise explores how authoritarian regimes manipulate this dependency through censorship and “kill switches,” the potential worst-case scenario of an internet shutdown, and a policy recommendation to safeguard societal stability.

When the Internet Becomes a Censorship Tool: A Double-Edged Sword

Authoritarian governments often view the internet as a tool to control and suppress dissent. As the saying goes, “Control the flow of information, control the people.” Countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Iran have demonstrated this by shutting down internet access during protests, aiming to stifle organization and spread of opposition. China’s extensive censorship apparatus, including the Great Firewall, exemplifies how regimes can manipulate online spaces to shape perception and silence criticism.

Such actions are similar to “cutting off the lifeline” of society. Citizens are denied the ability to communicate freely, access information, or conduct business. “When the internet goes dark,” as the cliché warns, “the lights go out on society,” leaving people isolated and powerless.

The Society Dependent on Digital Convenience: Walking a Tightrope

Modern economies have become “living on the edge,” heavily reliant on online transactions. From banking to shopping, employment to government services, daily life is intertwined with digital platforms. As the saying goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” but many individuals and communities have done just that, banking on the internet for their livelihoods.

This dependency resembles building a house on a foundation of sand—convenient until a storm hits. In a worst-case scenario, if the internet is suddenly shut down, the repercussions are dire. Banks cannot process transactions; supply chains grind to a halt; emergency services lose contact; citizens panic. Without alternative means of communication or commerce, society risks descending into chaos, with widespread panic and economic collapse looming large.

The Worst-Case Scenario: Society in Freefall

Imagine a nation where an authoritarian regime activates a “kill switch,” plunging the entire country into digital darkness. Communication ceases, markets collapse, and essential services become inaccessible. Citizens, cut off from news and social networks, are left in the dark—literally and figuratively. Misinformation spreads as fear takes hold; shortages of essentials occur as supply chains break down; law and order deteriorate as authorities struggle to maintain control.

This scenario is a nightmare come true—a nation unable to function, its people stranded in a sea of confusion and panic. The chaos could lead to civil unrest, economic depression, and a loss of faith in government institutions. As the cliché warns, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” and in this case, society’s dependency on a fragile digital chain becomes its Achilles’ heel.

Policy Recommendations: Building Resilience Against Digital Blackouts

To avoid such a disaster, it is essential to implement policies that strengthen society’s resilience beforehand. Relying solely on a contingency plan won’t suffice, as it will come too late when the crisis hits. One effective policy is the creation of alternative communication and transaction networks that can operate independently of the internet when it is shut down. This could include:

• Decentralized networks and mesh communication systems that operate independently of centralized servers.
• Backup infrastructures for essential services, including manual override capabilities.
• Legal frameworks that restrict the use of “kill switches” unless for national security reasons with strict oversight.
• Public education on offline survival skills and community-based support networks.

Furthermore, governments should adopt transparent protocols for internet shutdowns, ensuring they are used only in emergencies and with judicial oversight, rather than as tools of censorship. International cooperation and agreements can also play a role in establishing norms and limits on the use of digital blackouts.

Conclusion: Protecting Society from Its Own Dependence

As the saying goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” and in the digital age, that basket is the internet. While it offers unprecedented convenience and connectivity, societal over-reliance makes us vulnerable to authoritarian censorship and technical blackouts. The worst-case scenario—a total internet shutdown—would trigger chaos, panic, and societal collapse.

By implementing resilient policies, investing in alternative systems, and fostering a culture of preparedness, we can safeguard our society from becoming victims of its own digital dependencies. Remember, true security lies not in dependency but in diversity—both in technology and in tactics—to withstand the storms of censorship and blackout. Only then can we ensure that society remains resilient, no matter what challenges lie ahead.

Additional References:

• Freedom House. (2012). Freedom on the Net 2012: The Increasing Cost of Censorship.
• Smith, J. (2019). Digital Dependency and Society’s Fragile Web. TechJournal.
• United Nations. (2013). Cybersecurity and Human Rights: Protecting Free Expression in the Digital Age.

“I don’t write my post-apocalyptic stories, because that’s what I think our future will become. I write them, so that you’ll know what future to avoid.” By: Ray Bradbury

Prompt: When an authoritarian government blocks the internet, they are censoring the citizens; people cannot communicate or buy and sell products and services from each other. When a society becomes dependent on the convenience of on-line transactions, it places its livelihood in jeopardy, because it doesn’t know, how to exist any other way. So if the internet ever goes down, the result will be wide spread panic in the country!