Latest news with #NetBlocks
The Verge
25-07-2025
- The Verge
Starlink's satellite internet is back online after a massive outage
Starlink users reported they couldn't connect to SpaceX's satellite internet service for a few hours on Thursday afternoon before service was eventually restored. Widespread Starlink outages, like the ones we reported on in 2022 and 2023, have been rare, and this appears to be the first one in 2025. The outage began around 3:15PM ET or so, with users receiving error messages saying there is 'no healthy upstream.' Starlink posted a message on X at 4:05PM ET: 'Starlink is currently in a network outage and we are actively implementing a solution. We appreciate your patience, we'll share an update once this issue is resolved.' At 6:23PM ET, Starlink engineering VP Michael Nicolls followed that up with a message saying that after a 2.5-hour outage, the network has 'mostly recovered.' 'The outage was due to failure of key internal software services that operate the core network,' writes Nicolls, without going into specific detail. According to The Kyiv Independent, the outage affected Ukrainian troops who rely on Starlink terminals, citing a Telegram message from the military saying Starlink is down across the entire front. The military now says its connections are back online after going down for about 150 minutes, 'the longest in the war.' T-Mobile just opened its Starlink-powered T-Satellite messaging service to everyone yesterday, but we haven't seen any updates on its status. During the outage, the global connectivity trackers at NetBlocks reported that overall Starlink connectivity dropped to '16 percent of ordinary levels.' Update, July 24th: Added information from the Ukrainian military and NetBlocks, and updated to note that service has been restored. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Richard Lawler Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Science Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Space Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All SpaceX
Tom's Guide
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Tom's Guide
Political turmoil and military tensions see 24 internet restrictions imposed so far in 2025
24 cases of internet restrictions have been imposed in the first six months of 2025, with countless people, activists, and journalists being censored. One of the best VPNs, Surfshark, monitors cases of censorship through its Internet Shutdown Tracker and cases exceed those recorded in the first six months of 2024. So far in 2025, 24 internet restrictions have been recorded in 10 countries/territories. The first six months of 2024 saw 20 restrictions in nine countries, with internet censorship going on to impact 4.8 billion people. This trend could see even more people become victims of internet censorship by the end of 2025, and reinforces how vital it is to oppose internet censorship at every turn. Of the 24 internet restrictions recorded, 15 occurred in Asian countries/territories. India imposed five restrictions, mostly as a result of protests taking place across several regions and cities. The disputed Jammu & Kashmir region also saw five restrictions amid political turmoil. Iran was third on the list, recording three internet restrictions. These largely took place during the height of its military tensions with Israel and saw demand for VPNs peak at 707% over the baseline. Congo DR, Iraq, Panama, and Venezuela all restricted the internet twice, while Kenya, Togo, and Tanzania recorded one case of internet restriction. The Proton VPN Observatory saw a VPN spike of 12,000% over the baseline in Togo as protestors called for the president's resignation following controversial constitution changes. NetBlocks, which works in partnership with Surfshark to run its tracker, reported at least three days of internet blackouts in Panama. This took place at the end of June and coincided with protests by banana workers. According to Surfshark this was the first time Panama has imposed internet restrictions since the provider began monitoring data in 2015. ⚠️ Update: Metrics show the internet blackout in the Bocas del Toro Province of #Panama is in its third day, with emergency calls also impacted; the measure, imposed in response to banana workers' protests, continues to limit economic activity and freedom of expression 24, 2025 "Over the years, governments have used internet shutdowns to control and silence journalists, activists, and the public," said Justas Pukys, VPN Product Manager at Surfshark. "Internet blackouts can be dangerous, especially during critical events such as elections, protests, or other political turmoil. Losing internet access makes it harder to stay in touch with family members, access critical news outlets, and share urgent information with the world about unfolding events." "Since internet access is now essential to basic human rights, it's more important than ever to track cases of mass censorship." Social media is often seen as an easy target for authorities looking to impose restrictions. Social media restrictions differ from network restrictions but can occur simultaneously. Surfshark reports that 24 countries are currently blocking social media or voice over IP (VOIP) services. Telegram is the most targeted app, with X/Twitter close behind. Venezuela blocked Telegram in the early hours of January 11 as President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third term. A few days earlier, Venezuela had gone on a VPN banning spree as 21 providers had their websites blocked. In March, the Proton VPN Observatory recorded a VPN spike in Turkey of 1,100% over the baseline. The government restricted access to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X, as protests engulfed the country following the arrest of President Erdogan's main political rival. TikTok was also blocked in Albania – another country imposing its first restriction – as a one-year ban came into effect in March. The app famously went offline for a short period in the US as rumors surrounding its ban and/or potential purchase circled. President Trump has since extended the TikTok ban twice and it looks unlikely to be shut down again. Although this move wasn't done with direct censorship in mind, and therefore not classed as an internet restriction, it shows that no country is immune to restrictions and it should be challenged at every level. VPNs are on the front line when it comes to combating internet censorship, and they are a vital tool for those living under restricted conditions. Many of the leading VPNs are effective at bypassing restrictions of varying severity. In most instances, all it takes to bypass blockages is connecting to a server in a different country and accessing the app or site being blocked. But in some cases, you need one of the most private VPNs as government censorship is more sophisticated – China and Russia are the two leading examples here. Advised for bypassing all restrictions, but especially important for sophisticated restrictions, is VPN obfuscation. Obfuscated servers hide the fact you're using a VPN and make it harder for sites, internet service providers, and governments to block your traffic and identify you. NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN all have obfuscated servers, as do other secure providers not featured in our best VPN list. All of these providers have strict no-logs policies, which mean your internet traffic is never recorded, stored, shared, or sold. Double VPN or multi-hop features are also present. These route your traffic through two encrypted VPN servers, rather than the usual one, for added security. Proton VPN champions anti-censorship features which are specifically designed to bypass internet restrictions and keep vulnerable users safe. These include Proton VPN Free, Guest Mode, and the ability to disguise its Android VPN app. Many VPNs also offer free emergency VPN subscriptions to journalists, activists, and anyone living under internet censorship unable to access a free and open internet. Providers like Proton VPN and Windscribe do this in the form of some of the best free VPNs, while others like NordVPN and Surfshark have dedicated emergency VPN programs. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Daily News Egypt
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
How the Ramses Central Fire Disrupted Egypt's Internet, Stock Exchange, and Banking Sectors
In the heart of Egypt's bustling capital, a fire that broke out late on Monday, July 7, at the iconic Ramses Central building quickly turned into a national emergency. The telecommunications hub—originally inaugurated in 1927 by King Fuad I—was engulfed in flames, sending plumes of smoke over downtown Cairo and triggering a ripple effect across the country's most sensitive infrastructure. The fire, which claimed the lives of four individuals and injured 39 others, did not just torch an old building—it paralyzed Egypt's digital backbone. The Ramses Central is a cornerstone of the country's telecommunications network, serving as a major interconnection point for internet, voice, and data services for the nation's top providers, including Vodafone, Orange, WE, and e&. As authorities scrambled to contain the blaze, critical services collapsed one after another—from disrupted mobile and internet access to the unexpected shutdown of the Egyptian Exchange and bank branches halting key operations. Communications Breakdown For hours, millions across Greater Cairo found themselves unable to make calls across different networks, while landline and broadband internet connections slowed to a crawl or dropped entirely. According to NetBlocks, a global internet observatory, national internet connectivity fell to 62% of normal levels at the peak of the crisis. Egypt's Minister of Communications, Amr Talaat, confirmed that services would be restored gradually within 24 hours and assured the public that users would be compensated. Efforts were underway to reroute traffic through alternate exchanges. Markets Hit: Egyptian Exchange Suspends Trading The fallout quickly reached the financial markets. On Tuesday morning, July 8, the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) suspended trading for the day—a highly unusual move prompted by the failure of its electronic systems to display price data and process transactions. 'This was a precautionary measure to ensure market transparency and fairness,' EGX Chairman Ahmed El Sheikh told Asharq Business. He clarified that no internal systems were compromised, but that connectivity issues made operations untenable for the day. Banks in Disarray Banking operations were also impacted. Egypt's two largest state-owned banks, Banque Misr and the National Bank of Egypt, issued apologies for service disruptions—particularly in ATM withdrawals and online banking. In response, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) temporarily increased the daily cash withdrawal limit for individuals and companies from EGP 250,000 to EGP 500,000. It also extended operating hours for several branches until 5:00 PM to accommodate demand. Digital banking was hit especially hard. Online and mobile banking apps experienced outages across Cairo, and many point-of-sale (POS) machines stopped functioning. The popular InstaPay app also faced service interruptions, with users reporting issues on social media. Airports and Media Navigate the Crisis Despite initial concerns, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that operations at Cairo International Airport resumed without major delays, thanks to quick coordination with telecom authorities. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Media Production City reported that while live broadcasts continued uninterrupted, some live program preparations faced logistical hurdles due to the communications blackout. Why Ramses Central Matters The scale of disruption underscores Ramses Central's crucial role. Strategically located near Ramses Square, the facility processes over 40% of Egypt's domestic and international telecom traffic and houses critical switching equipment for routing calls and data both locally and abroad. It also serves as a primary node in Egypt's fiber optic network, linking government ministries, financial institutions, airports, and broadcasters. Any outage there, even temporary, can send shockwaves through multiple sectors. As of Tuesday evening, cooling efforts at the site were still underway, and investigations into the cause of the fire had begun. The government has cut off power and gas in the area as a safety precaution, while emergency response teams remain on high alert. A Wake-Up Call for Infrastructure Resilience The incident has raised urgent questions about the vulnerability of Egypt's centralized telecom infrastructure. As the country continues to modernize its digital economy, experts say there may be a need for greater decentralization and redundancy in core systems. For now, the priority remains restoring full service and ensuring that affected sectors—particularly banking and communications—can return to stability without long-term damage. Daily News Egypt will continue monitoring developments related to the Ramses Central fire and its economic implications.
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First Post
08-07-2025
- General
- First Post
Massive fire at Telecom Egypt building kills 4, injures over two dozen
The large blaze, which broke out at the landmark 10-story Telecom Egypt building and lasted for hours, began in one of the halls on the floor housing telecom operators and spread to other floors due to its intensity, authorities said read more Fire fighters battle flames for the second day after a fire engulfed the main telecom company building in Cairo, Egypt. AP Egyptian officials said Tuesday a fire that engulfed a main telecom company building in downtown Cairo a day earlier left four people dead and over two dozen injured. The large blaze, which broke out at the landmark 10-story Telecom Egypt building and lasted for hours, began in one of the halls on the floor housing telecom operators and spread to other floors due to its intensity, authorities said. The four dead were company employees who had been inside the burning building, according to their workers union. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A total of 27 people had been hospitalized as of Tuesday afternoon, the health ministry said in an update, although some have since been discharged. The ministry confirmed that four bodies were recovered from the site. Some people who suffered smoke inhalation received treatment on site and didn't require emergency transfers to hospitals. They were not included in the figures released by the health ministry. On Tuesday morning, the upper part of the building was charred, and firefighters were still spraying water as smoke billowed from the top floors, though the massive flames had been contained, according to an AP photographer on site. The blaze prompted a temporary outage of internet and mobile phone services. NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, wrote Monday on X that network data show national connectivity was at 62% of ordinary levels. The outage also disrupted air traffic, but the civil aviation ministry said early Tuesday all halted flights have taken off. The Egyptian Stock Exchange halted trading on Tuesday due to widespread disruption impacting the efficiency of the trading system. The minister of communications, Amr Talaat, said in a statement that all communications services will gradually be restored within 24 hours and that they were transferred to more than one switchboard to operate as an alternative network. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
UAE Moments
26-06-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
Iran Restores Internet After Two-Week Blackout
Iran has started restoring internet access after a near-total blackout that lasted almost two weeks. The restrictions, enforced in the middle of its conflict with Israel, cut off communication for millions and disrupted essential services across the country. Blackout began amid strikes with Israel The blackout was first announced on June 13 by Iranian telecom officials, citing national security concerns. Authorities said the shutdown aimed to prevent alleged cyber misuse by Israel and stop what they called a spread of disinformation. Following the announcement, internet traffic in the country dropped by nearly half and became nearly nonexistent over the next few days, according to global digital watchdog NetBlocks. Public services and daily life affected While internet restrictions aren't new in Iran, this recent disruption hit harder. Access to mobile banking, communication apps, and even emergency information was severely affected. 'The blackout may have bought the government time during military tensions, but it also caused massive frustration,' said a cybersecurity analyst. 'It cut off people from basic services and contact with their loved ones.' Experts say it was also about control Beyond national security concerns, analysts believe the move was also aimed at silencing dissent and controlling the narrative. With no internet, the public had limited access to battlefield updates, social media, or outside news. 'It wasn't just about Israel,' one expert said. 'It was also about suppressing unrest and hiding internal losses.' Starlink enters the conversation Shortly after the blackout began, Elon Musk revealed that Starlink, his satellite internet service, had been activated for Iran. While not officially licensed there, people with the right equipment could potentially bypass restrictions. Cyber tension remains high Even as internet access returns, tensions in cyberspace are still rising. The US has warned of potential Iranian-linked cyberattacks on American networks, especially from groups tied to the Iranian state. GPS disruptions have also been reported, with smartphones in various countries showing wrong time zones or map data—another layer of the digital fallout from the conflict. The bottom line Iran's internet blackout was more than just a security move—it became a national inconvenience, a tool for control, and a trigger for public anger. While access is coming back, the digital scars of the shutdown are likely to linger.
