Instagram disrupted across Iran amid protests

Iranians saw their access to Instagram, one of the few Western social media platforms still available in the country, disrupted today following days of mass protests over the death of a woman who was detained by the morality police.

NetBlocks, a London-based group that monitors internet access, reports widespread disruptions. Witnesses inside Iran, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of security concerns, say they are unable to log on using mobile phones or home connections.

There is no immediate comment from Iranian authorities on the disruption to Instagram, which would limit the ability of protesters to organize and share information.

Iran already blocks Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and YouTube, even though top Iranian officials use public accounts on such platforms. Many Iranians get around the bans using virtual private networks, known as VPNs and proxies.