In brief
With the Iranian government cutting off internet access during ongoing protests, Starlink has reportedly made its service free for users in Iran. This satellite technology is vital for many attempting to communicate with the outside world, despite the legal risks involved. Authorities are cracking down on Starlink usage amid fears of dissent spreading through uncontrolled information channels.
Starlink has reportedly waived monthly subscription payments for users inside Iran after its government shut down the internet last Thursday - cutting off millions of people from their families, livelihoods and access to information during a deadly crackdown on protests.
The satellite technology has become a vital communications lifeline for some of those in the country trying to tell the outside world what has been happening on the ground in recent days.
Two people in Iran told BBC Persian their device was running on Tuesday night even though they had not been keeping up with subscription payments. The director of an organisation that helps Iranians get online also stated that Starlink had been made free.
The satellite technology, which belongs to Elon Musk's SpaceX company, provides internet to tens of thousands of people in Iran, despite the fact it is illegal there. Since the internet was shut down, it has become one of the last remaining channels for Iranians to communicate with the outside world.
The BBC has approached SpaceX to confirm this information, but they have not yet responded.
Using the service in Iran carries a punishment of up to two years in prison and authorities have reportedly been searching for Starlink dishes to stop people from connecting to the internet. They're going onto rooftops and checking the surrounding buildings, says Parsa - not his real name - who spoke to BBC Persian using a Starlink connection.
Despite the risks, Starlink has become indispensable for many Iranians communicating what is happening inside the country to the rest of the world. According to human rights organisation Witness, at least 50,000 people are using Starlink to access the internet.
Iran's Foreign Minister has stated the internet had been cut off as part of efforts to confront 'terrorist operations,' while human rights groups condemned the blackout as an abuse of power.
As worries persist over government tracking and surveillance, individuals are taking great risks to provide evidence of the state’s actions, with some traveling significant distances to share information. The Iranian government's history of monitoring and censoring information only adds to the dangers faced by those seeking to connect using Starlink.
