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When people are disconnected from the internet, it can impact everything — access to essential info, how they receive medical care, or communication with loved ones. Whether it’s from the government or natural disasters, you can prep in advance to limit the impact of such shutdowns. 🧵 (1/9)

To keep people connected during internet shutdowns & blackouts, communication networks must be operational before and after the disaster or shutdown. To be effective, they must be widespread so that people can get access to them reliably, and they must be usable by a majority of the community. (2/9)

Peer-to-peer messaging apps: Briar uses Bluetooth to route messages from device to device, even when there is no internet. Other options include bitchat and Delta Chat, both of which have been used with success in Iran during the latest shutdown. (4/9)

Satellite internet: Without wires, this is harder for governments to shut down unilaterally. Unfortunately when the satellites are owned by tech oligarchs, such as Starlink (owned by Elon Musk), or by allied governments, the owners of those satellites may willingly shut down the network anyway.(5/9)

Ultimately an app that is already widely being used would be the best option for shutdown resistant communication. We can dream of a better world and we can build it too. (6/9)