The use of internet blackouts as a tool for censorship is becoming increasingly prevalent, with countries like Iran and Myanmar enhancing their censorship capabilities following such shutdowns. According to Business Recorder, Proton's lead product manager, Antonio Cesarano, highlighted that authoritarian governments are applying 'censorship as a playbook.' Proton, known for its encrypted email and VPN services, has observed that these governments are not only using internet blackouts to silence dissent but are also emerging from these shutdowns with 'a supercharged ability to censor internet access.' This development poses a significant challenge to VPN providers, as governments are reportedly using the blackout periods to strengthen their ability to counteract VPNs, which are typically used to bypass local internet restrictions.