"As protests in Iran intensify, satellite technology has become one of the only ways for people in the country to circumvent a total internet blackout and heavy restrictions on phone service. Now, as a number of people in the country turn to SpaceX-the company now providing free access to Starlink -there are growing calls for Apple to get involved, too."
"The office of Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican from Georgia, confirmed to Fast Company that they'd been in touch with Apple about opening up satellite messaging-which lets iPhone users send messages even when there is no wifi or cellular service-in the country, though they didn't say what response, if any, they might have received from the company. That outreach comes after, on Wednesday, Carter called on the company to do so publicly."
Protests in Iran have prompted authorities to impose near-total internet blackouts and severe phone restrictions, leading people to seek satellite technology to communicate. Many Iranians are turning to SpaceX's Starlink, which is offering free access, while activists and one U.S. congressman have urged Apple to enable iPhone satellite messaging in Iran. Rep. Buddy Carter contacted Apple and publicly called for the feature to allow users to message family and report atrocities. Activists posted viral appeals asking Apple to enable satellite texting during the blackout, stressing that communication is a lifeline. Apple did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Read at Fast Company
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