As Iran plunged into yet another nationwide internet blackout last week, people trying to reach loved ones inside the country were met with something deeply strange—and more than a little unsettling.

Instead of connecting with family or friends, callers from abroad were greeted by a robotic voice delivering a cryptic, feel-good message:

“Hello, and thank you for taking the time to listen,” the voice begins.
“Life is full of unexpected surprises… sometimes joyful, sometimes challenging. The key is to find the strength within to overcome these challenges.”
The message continues for nearly 90 seconds, encouraging the listener to close their eyes and picture a peaceful, happy place.

Confusion and Concern as the Messages Spread

Reports of this mysterious recording began circulating widely on Wednesday and Thursday—right after Iranian authorities imposed tight nationwide restrictions on internet access, citing vague “security concerns.”

With apps like WhatsApp blocked, many people abroad turned to traditional phone calls to reach those inside Iran. That’s when the strange messages began—only when calling mobile numbers, not landlines, and notably not heard when using internet-based apps.

For many Iranians, the bizarre voicemail was a red flag. Some assumed the recordings were the result of an Israeli cyberattack. Others were convinced the Iranian government was behind it.

Experts Weigh In: Government Interference Likely

According to Alp Toker, founder of NetBlocks, a group that tracks global internet governance, this kind of message is no accident. He believes it’s part of a broader censorship strategy by the Iranian regime.

“When the internet is cut, the phones need to go somewhere—and that’s often a fallback message,” Toker explained.
“Sometimes it’s an ad for vacation packages. Sometimes, it’s just nonsense. This one looks like it was slapped together quickly, using a basic text-to-speech system.”

Toker said it fits the profile of a national gateway-level voicemail, the kind used when a call can’t be completed. In this case, though, it appears someone manually configured the message, possibly using pre-AI automation tools.

A UK-based telecom expert who analyzed the recording told CNN the call appears to be “hijacked after the second ring,” suggesting interference at the network level—before the phone even connects. The expert requested anonymity, citing safety concerns.

No Official Word from Iran or Israel

So far, neither the Iranian nor Israeli government has commented on the mysterious messages.

What’s clear is that they surfaced during a time of heightened tension and tight information control. Iran has a long history of cutting internet access during political unrest or military conflict, and these recent disruptions were no different.

Internet Access Partially Restored, But Not Fully

By Saturday, NetBlocks reported that international internet access was partially restored in Iran after nearly 62 hours of severe disruption. Still, connectivity remains far below normal levels, making it difficult for people inside the country to freely communicate or access independent news.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency initially reported that full service would be back by 8 p.m. Saturday, citing the communications minister. But in a confusing twist, Tasnim later contradicted its own report—again quoting the same minister.

According to Iran’s communications ministry, Iranians abroad are now being told to use domestic messaging apps to contact their families—though these apps are widely seen as monitored or controlled by the regime.

A Pattern of Control

This isn’t the first time Iran has tightened the digital leash. During the nationwide protests of 2022, authorities shut down the internet multiple times to stifle dissent and limit outside exposure.

Now, with tensions rising again, both inside and outside the country, it appears the playbook hasn’t changed.

Source: CNN – ‘Life is full of unexpected surprises’: People trying to call Iran meet mysterious voice message

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Whistleblower Alleges Facebook’s Close Ties with Beijing

A former senior Facebook executive has alleged that the social media giant worked “hand in glove” with the Chinese government, considering ways to censor and control content in China.

Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former global public policy director at Facebook, claims that in exchange for market access, Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg was open to hiding viral posts until they could be reviewed by Chinese authorities. These allegations are part of her new book and a whistleblower complaint she has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), reviewed by the BBC.

Facebook’s Alleged Cooperation with China

Wynn-Williams claims that during negotiations with the Chinese government in the mid-2010s:

• Facebook considered granting Chinese authorities future access to user data.
• Zuckerberg was obsessed with breaking into the Chinese market, referring to it as his “white whale.”
• Facebook developed a censorship tool to comply with China’s strict content control regulations.
• The company revealed software details to Chinese officials, allowing them to test Facebook’s censorship technology.

Wynn-Williams: “He was working hand in glove with the Chinese Communist Party, building a censorship tool… the opposite of the principles Facebook claims to uphold.”

Facebook’s parent company, Meta, responded that these claims were widely reported at the time and insisted that the company ultimately chose not to proceed with the plans.

Meta’s Defense and Response

Meta maintains that:

• Zuckerberg’s 2019 public comments stated, “We could never come to agreement on what it would take for us to operate there, and they never let us in.”
• Meta terminated Wynn-Williams in 2017 due to poor performance and toxic behavior.
• The allegations are an attempt to sell books, not genuine whistleblowing.
• Meta has launched legal action in the U.S. to stop the distribution of allegedly defamatory and false claims.

Targeting Vulnerable Teens?

Wynn-Williams also accuses Facebook of using its algorithms to target vulnerable teenagers for advertisers. She claims:

• Facebook’s system could identify when teens felt worthless or unhappy.
• The platform tracked deleted selfies, notifying beauty companies to target these users with ads.
• She pushed back on these practices but found resistance from executives who saw it as a profitable advertising strategy.

Wynn-Williams: “The business side thought this was exactly what we should be doing. Young people are a key advertising segment.”

Meta denies these allegations, stating:

• It has never used emotional states to target ads.
• It introduced Teen Accounts with protections.
• It gives parents more control over their teens’ social media use.

Wynn-Williams’ Exit and Legal Battle

Meta insists that Wynn-Williams was fired not just for poor performance, but also for making “misleading and unfounded harassment allegations.” However, she claims she was dismissed after reporting inappropriate comments from a senior executive, Joel Kaplan (Meta’s current global affairs chief).

Meta’s statement: “She has been paid by anti-Facebook activists and is not a whistleblower.”

A legal representative for Wynn-Williams countered: “Meta has made false and inconsistent statements about Sarah… The book speaks for itself.”

Why Speak Out Now?

Wynn-Williams argues that Meta holds immense influence over society and politics, and the public needs to understand its inner workings.

Wynn-Williams: “Tech and political leaders are merging forces. We need to ensure we get the future we deserve.”

With Meta denying the allegations and pursuing legal action, the debate over Facebook’s ethics, business practices, and role in global politics is far from over.

Source

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