Internet Shutdowns Have Massive Economic Consequences

Iran experienced a week-long internet shutdown in November. The shutdown was a reaction of the authorities to the continuing protests in the country - more than 100 people are said to have died in the suppression. The protests were triggered primarily by an increase in gasoline prices due to sanctions against the country which have plunged Iran into a deep economic crisis. This could, however, be further exacerbated by the shutdown of the Internet. According to NetBlocks' Cost of Shutdown Tool, the economic damage to the Islamic Republic amounts to around 61 million U.S. dollars per day. By way of comparison, a one-day total network shutdown in the United States would cost an estimated 7.3 billion U.S. dollars.