Is This What "Electronic Warfare" Looks Like?

International

Is This What "Electronic Warfare" Looks Like?

What’s going on: For the past two weeks, Iran has been rocked by unprecedented protests — the greatest challenge to the government in years. Thousands of people have flooded the streets over a failing economy and government corruption. Human rights activists estimate security forces have killed more than 2,500 Iranians while trying to quell the unrest. State-run media confirmed deaths, but has not released a toll. There’s no way to really know the full story because Tehran has imposed a nationwide internet blackout for at least five days — hitting the kill switch on Elon Musk’s Starlink for the first time. Iranians rely on the satellite connection to communicate with the rest of the world, organize protests, and avoid government censorship (which is common). Multiple reports say SpaceX is now offering Starlink for free inside Iran, but access remains dangerous and rare: owning a terminal is illegal, the military is jamming signals, and users risk arrest (or worse) if caught. 

Tell me more: The outside world is piecing together the story through fragments: brief phone calls that suddenly connect and grainy footage. The New York Times verified a video posted online Tuesday that shows security forces firing on protesters in eastern Tehran. The Times also reviewed videos shared on social media Monday in which gunfire rings out, and crowds shout: “Death to the dictator!” Experts told The Wall Street Journal that Iran’s response to the protests amounts to “electronic warfare.” The situation also threatens to pull in the US, as President Donald Trump weighs his options. On the table: a potential cyberattack or strike on Iran. In the meantime, Trump has urged Iranians to keep protesting and promised that “help is on its way.” He also warned that the US will take “very strong action” against Iran if any protesters are executed. Still, even if the US intervenes, experts say we shouldn’t expect a regime change anytime soon.

Related: The Smuggled Tech Iranians Are Using To Stay Connected (The Guardian)

The News in 5

🗞️ The final inflation report of 2025 shows the cost of living went up 2.6% last year. This, as President Donald Trump touted his economic policy in Detroit yesterday, saying that inflation was “way, way, down.”

🗞️ The Clintons face possible contempt charges for refusing to testify over the findings in the Epstein files.

🗞️ South Carolina’s House Judiciary Committee plans to consider two bills to further restrict abortion, including one that seeks to classify abortion as homicide, which can be punishable by death.

🗞️ The Trump administration is ending temporary protected status for thousands of Somali immigrants, putting them at risk of deportation if they don’t leave the country.

🗞️ Most young voters reject both Republicans and Democrats, new research finds.

Tech

Big Tech, Meet the Neighbors

What’s going on: A city outside Tulsa has become a pressure point and the latest test case in the growing fight over AI data centers. In Sand Springs, local leaders quietly annexed hundreds of acres of rural land and began talks with a tech company about a massive data center without notifying the public, per The Washington Post. When residents learned of the plan, hundreds packed public meetings and planted protest signs along rural roads. The town is not alone. Tech firms are rolling into communities that never planned for data centers — or the power and water strain they bring. The Wall Street Journal reports electricity demand has gone up so fast that some companies now build their own power plants. The surge also threatens to strain one of the nation’s largest grid operators across a 13-state region. What could go wrong?

What it means: The pushback now spans red and blue states, fueled by residents who say they didn’t ask for this buildout or the costs that come with it. If a data center is proposed near you, here’s what to know and how to get involved locally. Early steps matter, even if they’re kinda boring. Zoning hearings, public comment periods, and county commission votes can slow or reshape projects. Public pressure has already helped delay a vote in one South Carolina county. Some states aren’t waiting around. New Jersey lawmakers proposed a bill to require large data-center operators to help cover infrastructure costs. In a similar move, Microsoft said Tuesday it will offset local bills in areas where it has data centers. We’ll call it a start — and see if the rest of Big Tech follows.

Related: AI’s Energy Problem Has One Very Sci-Fi Solution (Bloomberg)

Tech

Grok Gets a Pentagon Badge

What’s going on: Grok has a track record — and it’s not exactly stellar. Specifically, we mean its racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, and antisemitic tendencies. Most recently, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot has made headlines for creating naked or suggestive images of real women and children. It’s so bad that Malaysia and Indonesia kicked Grok out of their countries, and the UK could soon do the same. Despite that, the bot is headed for the Pentagon. Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he plans to integrate Grok into the Department of Defense’s internal network. It will operate alongside Google’s AI as part of a broader push to funnel vast amounts of military data into AI systems for future use. Hegseth noted he’d make “all appropriate data” from IT available for “AI exploitation,” along with select data from intelligence databases. 

What it means: This marks a sharp break from the Biden administration’s more cautious approach to feeding sensitive government data into AI. Even after his public exit from DOGE, Musk appears to have kept a direct line to policymakers. When describing his preferred AI platforms, Hegseth said he wanted systems “without ideological constraints” that “will not be woke.” He added that he hoped to sidestep bureaucracy — “Elon style.” Of course, this isn’t the first time a controversial tech firm has landed a defense contract. No matter how you slice it, analysts say Grok’s Pentagon debut puts a lot of faith in bots that haven’t earned it.

Related: How Hard Is It To Fight Deep Fakes? A New Jersey Case Sheds Some Light (TechCrunch) 

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Eyes on 2028? Registration opens for fans hoping to score tickets to the Los Angeles Olympics.

🗓️ Calling all Bowieheads, today marks 60 years since David Bowie released his first single, “Can't Help Thinking About Me.”

🗓️ It’s National Dress Up Your Pet Day. Consider this your excuse to turn your dog — or long-suffering cat — into a fashion icon.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

TOGETHER WITH APPLE FITNESS+

Make Your Move

In this series, we spotlight fitness routines that actually fit your lifestyle, to get you moving on your own terms.

This week’s move: Get into a routine 🏃‍♀️

Sometimes the hardest part of working out is showing up. Whether you’re getting back into the fitness game after taking some time off or you’re looking for fresh fitness inspo, Apple Fitness+  has personalized recommendations and custom plans to get you moving. They’ve got 12 workout types from Strength to HIIT to Yoga, with episodes as short as five minutes so you can get a workout in, no matter your schedule. Plus, they’re available on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, meaning you can access them anywhere. 

What to queue up: Make Your Fitness Comeback is a progressive workout program featuring Strength, HIIT, and Yoga. Psst…get one month of Apple+ Fitness free (and just $9.99/month after that).^†

Know It All

Céline Dion recently shared what's in her bag. What doesn't she carry with her?