Mobile internet disruptions seen in Iran amid water protests
3 years, 5 months ago

Mobile internet disruptions seen in Iran amid water protests

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Mobile phone internet service in Iran is being disrupted a week into protests in the country’s southwest over water shortages, a monitoring group said Thursday, unrest that has seen at least three people killed. Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org attributed part of the disruption to “state information controls or targeted internet shutdowns.” It identified the outages as beginning July 15, when the protests began in Khuzestan amid a drought affecting the oil-rich region neighboring Iraq. While landline service continues, NetBlocks warned its analysis and user reports were “consistent with a regional internet shutdown intended to control protests.” The effects represents “a near-total internet shutdown that is likely to limit the public’s ability to express political discontent or communicate with each other and the outside world,” NetBlocks said. On Thursday, Iran’s outgoing President Hassan Rouhani described the protests as “the people’s right.” “People who are living in 50 degrees Celsius with water shortage problems have a natural right to speak out and protest, even to take to the streets,” Rouhani said in comments aired by state television.

Protests Internet Water Iran Iranian Security Forces Netblocks Khuzestan  iran  protests  demonstrators  state  disruptions  amid  seen  group  internet  security  khuzestan  shutdown  water  mobile

History of this topic

Iran To Ease Internet Restrictions By Allowing WhatsApp, Google Play Access: Report
Top News
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Iran To Ease Internet Restrictions By Allowing WhatsApp, Google Play Access: Report

ABP News  

Iranian authorities have reportedly approved lifting the ban on Meta's WhatsApp and Google Play, state media reported. “A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play,” IRNA stated on Tuesday, reported Reuters. Strict Restrictions Iran has maintained strict controls over internet access, with several platforms, including …

Iran restores access to WhatsApp and Google Play after they were banned amid protests
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Iran restores access to WhatsApp and Google Play after they were banned amid protests

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s government on Tuesday said it had lifted a ban on access to WhatsApp and Google Play after more than two years, the official IRNA news agency reported. The report said the country’s Supreme Council of Cyber Space made the decision in a meeting led by reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has vowed to remove restrictions on …

Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play – A turning point for internet freedom?
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play – A turning point for internet freedom?

Live Mint  

Iran said it will start easing some of the world’s tightest internet restrictions by lifting its ban on WhatsApp and Google Play — a sign that authorities want to placate domestic opponents as the Islamic Republic faces major economic and foreign-policy challenges. Earlier on Tuesday, Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace approved the lifting of blocks on “certain widely used foreign …

Pakistan cuts mobile, internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Pakistan cuts mobile, internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest

Deccan Chronicle  

Islamabad: Pakistan on Sunday suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan geared up for a protest in the capital. Meanwhile, telecom company Nayatel sent out emails offering customers “a reliable landline service” as a workaround in the areas suffering suspended cellphone service. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said Khan's …

Pakistan partially suspends mobile, internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Pakistan partially suspends mobile, internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest

New Indian Express  

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Sunday suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan geared up for a protest in the capital. His supporters rely heavily on social media to demand his release and use messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The government is imposing social media platform …

Internet and mobile services cut off in Bangladesh amid violent protests that have killed 28 people
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Internet and mobile services cut off in Bangladesh amid violent protests that have killed 28 people

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Internet and mobile services were …

India leads in global internet shutdowns for 6th year in a row: Report
7 months, 3 weeks ago

India leads in global internet shutdowns for 6th year in a row: Report

Hindustan Times  

India logged 116 instances of internet shutdowns in 2023, accounting for 41% of the 283 globally, according to data analysed by Access Now, a not-for profit group that focusses on digital rights. Apart from blocking certain platforms across the country, 13 states in India saw local or statewide internet shutdowns. “Authorities have leveraged internet shutdowns as a blatant tool for …

Pakistan’s nationwide internet outage ’remarkably systematic’, says expert
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Pakistan’s nationwide internet outage ’remarkably systematic’, says expert

Live Mint  

Pakistan's social media and internet services were severely throttled Saturday night, as former Prime Minister Imran Khan's political party held a "virtual rally" ahead of the general elections. The outage of Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube is the second in two weeks coinciding with online campaign events organised by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, news agency AFP reported. "We can confirm …

Most internet shutdowns in last 3 years to curb protests: Report
1 year, 6 months ago

Most internet shutdowns in last 3 years to curb protests: Report

Hindustan Times  

Eighteen Indian states shut down the internet at least once in the three years between January 2020 to December 2022, the Internet Freedom Foundation and Human Rights Watch noted, highlighting that local authorities used the shutdowns to prevent or in response to protests in 57 instances, to prevent cheating in school examinations or in exams for government jobs in 37 …

Modi government’s internet blackouts hurt the poor and curbed job opportunities, HRW says
1 year, 6 months ago

Modi government’s internet blackouts hurt the poor and curbed job opportunities, HRW says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than 100 internet shutdowns …

Patralekha Chatterjee | Shutting down Internet: Govts need to do rethink
1 year, 7 months ago

Patralekha Chatterjee | Shutting down Internet: Govts need to do rethink

Deccan Chronicle  

Governments across the world are increasingly resorting to Internet shutdowns to stabilise potentially volatile situations, quell protests, and even to deal with problems like cheating in examinations. According to digital rights group Top10VPN, which researches the economic impacts of Internet shutdowns, in 2023 alone, 46 Internet shutdowns in 10 countries cost $761 million till date. In the Northeast itself, the …

‘Ruined my livelihood’: Pakistan internet shutdown hits millions
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Ruined my livelihood’: Pakistan internet shutdown hits millions

Al Jazeera  

No sign of restrictions being lifted despite information blackout and losses suffered by daily-wage earners, businesses. #internet #shutdown — jehan_ara May 11, 2023 Information blackout Nearly 125 million people have been affected by the government’s decision to suspend mobile broadband and block access to social media apps. ⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show that Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are now restricted …

How, and Why, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Shut Down the Internet
1 year, 8 months ago

How, and Why, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Shut Down the Internet

The Diplomat  

In 2022, most of the countries in Central Asia deliberately disrupted access to the internet in instances of public protests, other forms of open public criticism of government authority, and civil disobedience, citing national security and public safety concerns as justification. Compared to Kazakhstan, the Turkmen government has continuously pursued rigid and centralized control of the internet through a bundle …

Internet shutdown: Nearly half of global blackouts happened in THIS country
1 year, 10 months ago

Internet shutdown: Nearly half of global blackouts happened in THIS country

Live Mint  

Digital rights advocacy group Access Now's 2022 report, which covers total blackouts, the suspension of particular phone networks or social media apps and the slowing down of internet connections, was compiled using technical evaluations, news articles and personal testimony. Out of 187 internet shutdowns globally recorded by Access Now, 84 took place in India, including 49 in Kashmir, the watchdog …

Protest-hit Iran says WhatsApp, Instagram to remain blocked
1 year, 11 months ago

Protest-hit Iran says WhatsApp, Instagram to remain blocked

Live Mint  

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has vowed that WhatsApp and Instagram will remain blocked in the country, blaming the online platforms for stoking protests that started over four months ago. Raisi charged that the two platforms, owned by US internet giant Meta, "were at the root of the insecurity in the country during the recent riots", speaking on national television Tuesday …

The US says it’s helping Iranians navigate a massive internet blackout. Activists say it’s too little, too late
2 years, 3 months ago

The US says it’s helping Iranians navigate a massive internet blackout. Activists say it’s too little, too late

CNN  

CNN — As protesters took to the streets of Iran following the death in detention of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman apprehended for apparently not wearing her hijab properly, videos of the uprising began to flood the internet. “They have removed WhatsApp and Instagram from local app stores, they have blocked our connection to Google Play store and App Store …

'The internet is dead in Iran': Protests targeted by shutdown
2 years, 3 months ago

'The internet is dead in Iran': Protests targeted by shutdown

The Hindu  

Saeed Souzangar, who runs a technology company in Tehran, is adept at navigating frequent internet disruptions to ensure his business can keep operating, but even he has been thrown by nationwide communications outages this month. Iran was one of the countries with the highest number of internet shutdowns last year, with authorities pulling the plug to clamp down on dissent, …

In protests over death of Mahsa Amini, internet is key to planning. Can Iran block access?
2 years, 3 months ago

In protests over death of Mahsa Amini, internet is key to planning. Can Iran block access?

LA Times  

A police motorcycle burns in Tehran during a protest on Sept. 19, 2022, over the death of a young woman in police custody. “In 2019, everybody was shocked authorities could impose a massive internet shutdown, but this time many predicted it would happen,” said Mahbod, a 27-year-old student at Tehran’s Sharif University. “Cheap ones you need to switch every three …

Elon Musk activating Starlink in Iran amid government's internet shutdown
2 years, 3 months ago

Elon Musk activating Starlink in Iran amid government's internet shutdown

Hindustan Times  

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Friday that he would activate the company's satellite internet service, Starlink in Iran amid massive protests in the country which have resulted in the government shutting down internet. Iran Anti- Hijab Protests: Elon Musk speaks during a press conference. As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States took action "to …

US allows tech firms to boost internet access in Iran
2 years, 3 months ago

US allows tech firms to boost internet access in Iran

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — American tech firms will be allowed to expand their business in Iran, where most internet access has been cut off in response to anti-government protests, the Treasury Department said Friday. “As courageous Iranians take to the streets to protest the death of Mahsa Amini, the United States is redoubling its support for the free flow of information to …

WhatsApp says it is working to keep Iranians connected
2 years, 3 months ago

WhatsApp says it is working to keep Iranians connected

The Hindu  

Meta Platforms Inc.'s WhatsApp said on Thursday that it was working to keep users in Iran connected after the country restricted access to the app and social media platform Instagram. Iran on Wednesday restricted access to Instagram and WhatsApp, two of the last remaining social networks in the country, amid protests over the death of a woman in police custody, …

31 killed, several arrested: How Iran's protests continue to spread a week after woman's death in hijab arrest
2 years, 3 months ago

31 killed, several arrested: How Iran's protests continue to spread a week after woman's death in hijab arrest

Firstpost  

The protests over the death of an Iranian woman are the biggest in the Islamic Republic since the November 2019 unrest over fuel price rises, and are marked this time by the presence of large numbers of women Paris: Iran has been rocked by a week of protests over the death last week of a young woman, who was arrested …

No Instagram, Whatsapp in Iran as hijab protests grow: Internet curbs explained
2 years, 3 months ago

No Instagram, Whatsapp in Iran as hijab protests grow: Internet curbs explained

Hindustan Times  

Iran blocked access to Instagram and WhatsApp imposing drastic restrictions on internet access on Thursday. Iran Hijab Protests: Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini. "In accordance with a decision by officials, it has no longer been possible to access Instagram in Iran since yesterday evening and access to WhatsApp is …

Iran restricts WhatsApp, Instagram as Mahsa Amini protests grow
2 years, 3 months ago

Iran restricts WhatsApp, Instagram as Mahsa Amini protests grow

Al Jazeera  

NetBlocks says the outage is the ‘most severe’ since the internet was blocked during 2019’s fuel protests. Iran has curbed access to social media networks Instagram and WhatsApp amid protests over the death of a woman in police custody, according to residents and internet watchdog NetBlocks. Last week’s death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by morality police in …

Internet restricted in Iran as officials work to crack down on spreading protests
2 years, 3 months ago

Internet restricted in Iran as officials work to crack down on spreading protests

ABC  

Internet access is being restricted in Iran as violent protests sparked by the death of a woman in police custody spread across the country, according to residents and global internet watchdog NetBlocks. Key points: WhatsApp and Instagram, the last remaining social media and messaging apps permitted in Iran, were blocked on Wednesday That was followed within hours by a widespread …

Iranians see widespread internet blackout amid mass protests
2 years, 3 months ago

Iranians see widespread internet blackout amid mass protests

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranians experienced a near-total internet blackout on Wednesday amid days of mass protests against the government over the death of a woman held by the country’s morality police for allegedly violating its strictly-enforced dress code. “We’re seeing internet service, including mobile data, being blocked in Iran in the past couple of hours,” Doug Madory, director …

Iranians see widespread internet outages amid mass protests over Mahsa Amini’s death
2 years, 3 months ago

Iranians see widespread internet outages amid mass protests over Mahsa Amini’s death

The Hindu  

Iranians experienced widespread internet outages on Wednesday amid days of mass protests against the government, including a loss of access to Instagram and WhatsApp, two of the last Western social media platforms available in the country. “We’re seeing internet service, including mobile data, being blocked in Iran in the past couple of hours,” Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at …

Experts: Iran disrupts internet; tower collapse deaths at 36
2 years, 7 months ago

Experts: Iran disrupts internet; tower collapse deaths at 36

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran disrupted internet access to the outside world as angry demonstrators rallied over the collapse of a tower in the nation’s southwest that has killed at least 36 people, experts said Tuesday as outrage and grief continued to grow. In a sign of those rising tensions, Iran’s Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the International Atomic Energy …

Iranians fear new bill will restrict internet even further
3 years, 5 months ago

Iranians fear new bill will restrict internet even further

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — For Ali Hedieloo, a 40-year-old making wooden furniture in Iran’s capital, Instagram is more than just a surfeit of glossy images. Iran moved last week toward further government restrictions on Instagram and other apps, as hard-line lawmakers agreed to discuss a bill that many fear will undermine communication, wipe out livelihoods and open the door to the …

Iran’s top leader says he understands protests over drought
3 years, 5 months ago

Iran’s top leader says he understands protests over drought

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s Supreme Leader leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday said he understands protesters’ anger over a drought in the country’s southwest, as a fourth death related to ongoing demonstrations there was reported. The semiofficial news agency Fars reported that a man was killed by shotgun fire in street violence in the nearby city of Aligoudarz; …

What Life Is Like Under Myanmar's Internet Shutdown
3 years, 10 months ago

What Life Is Like Under Myanmar's Internet Shutdown

Wired  

Rumors of a coup were spreading before the military acted. Sophie*, an American software developer, was at home with her young son and her husband Aung*, a union worker and Myanmar national, when Myanmar’s military took control in the early hours of February 1. As the nation’s military leaders arrested Aung San Suu Kyi, president Win Myint, and other senior …

Digital siege: Internet cuts become favored tool of regimes
3 years, 10 months ago

Digital siege: Internet cuts become favored tool of regimes

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Shutdowns can range from all-encompassing internet blackouts to blocking social media platforms or severely …

Myanmar Military Shut Down Internet as Thousands Take to Streets Protesting Against Coup
3 years, 11 months ago

Myanmar Military Shut Down Internet as Thousands Take to Streets Protesting Against Coup

News 18  

Myanmar’s junta shut down the internet in the country on Saturday as thousands of people took to the streets of Yangon to denounce this week’s coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Let’s fight until the last minute for our future.” Myanmar civil society organisations appealed to internet providers and mobile networks to challenge the …

Internet Services Suspended for 12 Hours at Protest Sites in Delhi as Farmers Rally Turns Violent
3 years, 11 months ago

Internet Services Suspended for 12 Hours at Protest Sites in Delhi as Farmers Rally Turns Violent

News 18  

As the farmers’ tractor parade turned violent with a clash breaking out between police personnel and protesters in the national capital, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order for temporary suspension of internet services in parts of the National Capital Region. The government order sent to telecom service providers directed temporary suspension of internet services in areas of Singhu, …

We’re in the stone age, say Kashmir students on Internet shut down
4 years, 11 months ago

We’re in the stone age, say Kashmir students on Internet shut down

The Hindu  

From ferrying data in hard drives by air to driving over 300 km away for downloading syllabi of professional courses, students in the cut off Kashmir Valley are finding new ways to bypass the obstacles posed by the 147-day Internet shutdown. Scores of students in the Valley have shipped their tablets, Kindles and iPads for necessary updates and downloading of …

Internet shutdowns cost the global economy $8 billion last year, report says
5 years ago

Internet shutdowns cost the global economy $8 billion last year, report says

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — More than 18,000 hours of internet shutdowns around the world caused by deliberate government action costmore than $8 billion in 2019, a new report estimates. “On the human rights side, these shutdowns clearly impact citizens’ freedom of expression and the right to information and may even result in an increase in violence.” New normal Internet …

CAA protests: Internet suspended in Lucknow, Ghaziabad and 19 districts in UP today
5 years ago

CAA protests: Internet suspended in Lucknow, Ghaziabad and 19 districts in UP today

Live Mint  

Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government has again suspended the internet services in 21 districts of the state till Friday midnight. Initially, nine districts in the state had been marked for internet shutdown, but close to midnight on Thursday, Additional Chief Secretary Avanish Awasthi issued an order that internet services in 21 districts would remain suspended till Friday midnight The districts …

After internet blackout, Iranians take stock
5 years, 1 month ago

After internet blackout, Iranians take stock

Al Jazeera  

With online access restored, businesses, students and crypto-enthusiasts process the implications of online cutoff. The restoration of internet access, which started late last week, has been greeted with relief by millions, while the country’s information minister has reassured the public that the government values global online access. by Iran Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi ‘National …

After internet blackout, Iranians take stock
5 years, 1 month ago

After internet blackout, Iranians take stock

Al Jazeera  

With online access restored, businesses, students and crypto-enthusiasts process the implications of online cutoff. The restoration of internet access, which started late last week, has been greeted with relief by millions, while the country’s information minister has reassured the public that the government values global online access. by Iran Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi ‘National …

As internet restored, online Iran protest videos show chaos
5 years, 1 month ago

As internet restored, online Iran protest videos show chaos

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Machine gun fire answers rock-throwing protesters. A U.N. office earlier said it feared the unrest may have killed “a significant number of people.” Starting Nov. 16, Iran shut down the internet across the country, limiting communications with the outside world. “We will deal with this, Islamic Republic supporters, and our proud men and women will …

US sanctions Iran’s information minister over internet blackout
5 years, 1 month ago

US sanctions Iran’s information minister over internet blackout

Al Jazeera  

The blackout, which Iran has started rolling back, made it difficult for protesters to communicate. The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran‘s communications minister for his role in “widescale internet censorship”, a reference to a five-day-long nationwide shutdown meant to help stifle protests against fuel price hikes by Tehran. “Iran’s leaders know that a free and open internet exposes …

US sanctions Iran’s information minister over internet blackout
5 years, 1 month ago

US sanctions Iran’s information minister over internet blackout

Al Jazeera  

The blackout, which Iran has started rolling back, made it difficult for protesters to communicate. The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran‘s communications minister for his role in “widescale internet censorship”, a reference to a five-day-long nationwide shutdown meant to help stifle protests against fuel price hikes by Tehran. “Iran’s leaders know that a free and open internet exposes …

Iran loosens internet restrictions after protest shutdown
5 years, 1 month ago

Iran loosens internet restrictions after protest shutdown

Al Jazeera  

Internet access ‘gradually being restored’ as cyberspace official says the country will have full access in two days. A top cyberspace security official in Iran told journalists on Thursday he believed the country’s internet would be fully turned on “within the next two days”. Death toll dispute Amnesty International said on Tuesday more than 100 demonstrators had been killed by …

What’s happening in Iran?
5 years, 1 month ago

What’s happening in Iran?

CNN  

CNN — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has claimed victory over the ongoing unrest in the country, state media reported Wednesday, six days after nationwide protests erupted following an abrupt spike in gas prices. Speaking at a government meeting in Tehran, Rouhani said the country had been “victorious out of yet another test” and that “despite the country’s economic problems and …

Iran’s internet is mostly down. Here’s what makes that unusual
5 years, 1 month ago

Iran’s internet is mostly down. Here’s what makes that unusual

CNN  

CNN — Iranians are still offline, three days after the government pulled the plug on the internet amid nationwide anti-government protests. Iran’s minister of telecommunications Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said that the government had ordered the cutoff on Saturday and promised that it would return “soon,” state broadcaster Press TV reported Monday. “Internet will return to the life of the …

UN urges Iran restraint as reports say ‘rioters’ kill 3 soldiers
5 years, 1 month ago

UN urges Iran restraint as reports say ‘rioters’ kill 3 soldiers

Al Jazeera  

UN warns of ‘very serious’ number of casualties but Iran leaders stand by fuel price rise, slam ‘thugs’ behind protests. The United Nations has called for Iranian authorities to rein in the use of force to disperse protests sparked by a fuel price rise, as Iranian media reported that three members of the country’s security forces were stabbed to death …

Iran’s top leader warns ‘thugs’ as protests reach 100 cities
5 years, 1 month ago

Iran’s top leader warns ‘thugs’ as protests reach 100 cities

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday cautiously backed the government’s decision to raise gasoline prices by 50% after days of widespread protests, calling those who attacked public property during demonstrations “thugs” and signaling that a potential crackdown loomed. While Khamenei dictates the country’s nuclear policy amid tensions with the U.S. over its unraveling 2015 accord with …

The ‘largest internet shutdown ever’ in Iran is happening now. Here’s what you need to know
5 years, 1 month ago

The ‘largest internet shutdown ever’ in Iran is happening now. Here’s what you need to know

CNN  

CNN — Iran has gone almost entirely offline as authorities try to stem the spread of nationwide protests that have gripped the country since Friday. Oracle’s Internet Intelligence called it the “largest internet shutdown ever observed in Iran.” In other countries where nationwide protests have rattled the political elite – such as Iraq and Lebanon – social media has played …

Back Story: An increasingly popular authoritarian tool: Shutting down the internet
5 years, 6 months ago

Back Story: An increasingly popular authoritarian tool: Shutting down the internet

LA Times  

Two women ride past an ad for a cellphone company in Sittwe, Myanmar. The Myanmar government last week suspended cellphone internet service in eight townships in Rakhine and one in neighboring Chin state where the army is battling insurgents. “The conflict in the Rakhine is serious and this advantages the military in their response against the Arakan Army,” said Bridget …

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