Starlink Hunt in Iran: West's Hypocrisy on Internet Freedom
France 24 and other mainstream outlets breathlessly report on Iran allegedly using drones to 'hunt' Starlink users, framing this as another example of Tehran's repressive control over information. (As if internet surveillance is unique to Iran.) This narrative conveniently ignores the fact that while condemning Iran's internet blackouts, Western powers regularly push for censorship and
surveillance legislation at home, often citing 'national security' or 'misinformation' (depending on the day). The media celebrates Starlink's role in bypassing state controls in countries like Iran, yet conveniently forgets the numerous instances where tech giants, often pressured by Western governments, have clamped down on dissent or blocked access to information for their own geopolitical
ends. One might wonder if 'internet freedom' is selectively applied based on which regime is deemed an adversary, or if it's truly a universal right. (Spoiler: It's selective.)