Iran has officially banned the possession and use of Starlink devices, marking an increase in efforts to control internet access and restrict online communication.
Ban on Starlink in Iran
The Iranian Parliament has enacted legislation that criminalizes the use of Starlink, a satellite internet service by SpaceX. Authorities are emphasizing the need to restrict uncensored information access, threatening severe penalties for non-compliance.
Continued Demand for Starlink
Despite the ban, estimates suggest that between 20,000 and 40,000 Starlink devices are still operational in Iran via black market channels. This indicates a persistent demand among citizens for uncensored internet access. Elon Musk and SpaceX have not commented on the situation to date.
Impact on the Cryptocurrency Market
So far, no immediate effects on cryptocurrency prices or market indicators have been observed since the ban was implemented. However, technologies focused on privacy may attract speculative interest, as past restrictions have led to increased trading volumes for privacy-centric tokens.
The ban on Starlink highlights the complexities of censoring internet technology in authoritarian regimes. While there is currently no direct impact on the cryptocurrency market, privacy-oriented technologies may see considerable interest from users.
