Schoresch Davoodi
Is a New Revolution Brewing in Iran? Digital Repression, Internet Blackouts, and the Fight for Freedom in the Age of Hybrid Authoritarianism
In recent months, the Islamic Republic of Iran has intensified its digital repression tactics, including prolonged nationwide internet shutdowns, blocking of satellite services, and targeted surveillance to crush dissent. These measures are part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy employed by the regime to maintain control amid growing internal protests and international pressure.
This talk examines whether Iran is on the verge of a new revolutionary wave—building on the 2022–2023.
Woman, Life, Freedom uprising—and analyzes the critical role of digital infrastructure in both oppression and resistance. Key topics include:
The regime’s systematic use of internet blackouts as a tool of hybrid control and censorship
The impact of satellite internet solutions (e.g., Starlink activations) and circumvention technologies on protest coordination and access to information
Lessons from Iran for global digital rights, net politics, and countering authoritarian cyber strategies
The urgent need for international solidarity, including demands for restored connectivity and support for civil society in repressive environments
Drawing from ongoing developments, Pirate Parties International positions, and firsthand analysis, the presentation explores how revolutionary movements in authoritarian states are increasingly shaped—and potentially won or lost—in cyberspace. It discusses implications for security policy, privacy advocacy, and the global fight against hybrid threats in “interesting times.”
Lecture without subtitles
Lecture with subtitles
Our Summary:
Schoresch discussed the ongoing revolution in Iran, emphasizing the unified struggle for freedom across all societal groups. He highlighted the Iranian regime’s repressive measures, including internet shutdowns and mass arrests, leading to the highest death toll in 21st-century freedom struggles. Schoresch critiqued the regime’s strategic use of energy leverage, systematic disinformation, and exported violence. He argued for the need for European digital resilience and energy independence, proposing a European nuclear base for security. Schoresch also stressed the importance of supporting the Iranian freedom movement and combating selective censorship in digital rights advocacy.