The 2008 U.S. election saw some of the best integration of modern technology into campaigns. Web sites such as Facebook, Myspace and YouTube allowed candidates to reach out to millions of Americans in previously unimagined ways. It has been difficult to find a better usage of Web technology in an election until this past week, when hundreds of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to protest their presidential election.

With the expulsion of foreign journalists and restrictions in other lines of communication, the Internet has provided one of the few modes left for Iranians to speak with the rest of the world. However, even the World Wide Web is under assault.

Each computer connected to the Internet has a unique IP address that acts as an identifier to other users. The Iranian government blocks access to prohibited Web sites by adding their IP address to filtering software that prevents Internet users from reaching the site. Iranians can get around this by using a “proxy” server, which acts as an intermediary, which allows people to connect first to an unbanned IP address, and then redirects them to the banned Web site. The proxy server is similar to a telephone switchboard, where a person calls the switchboard operator, who then directs their call to the desired location.

This manner of censor circumvention is part of the reason Twitter has emerged as one of the most successful modes of communication out of Iran. Twitter works in a similar manner to proxy servers in that it acts as an intermediary between the sender and recipient. Twitter.com is the most common intermediary, but there are numerous other Web sites that aggregate tweets should one get blocked.

Pictures and videos of the protest have made it to Web sites such as Flikr and YouTube. Google has hastened the implementation of a Farsi-to-English translator. Twitter has even delayed anticipated maintenance time.

One of the most surprising Internet organizations to offer help has been the Web site “The Pirate Bay,” which renamed itself “The Persian Bay” in support. This Web site is most well known for helping facilitate file sharing between users, which can include copyrighted material such as music and movies. The owners have created the Web site: iran.whyweprotest.net to help and support the protesters in Iran. The information available ranges from circumventing Internet censoring software to emergency first aid. They even provide information on how to set up proxy servers for people wwho want to help out.

The largest problem with relying on the Internet for information about the protests is that the Iranian government heavily controls all of the Internet providers in the country. They could immediately shut down all Internet traffic in Iran, as appears to have happened for a short period right after the election. Some groups are already planning for such an event by organizing a method of transferring information to the Internet via faxes.

As the traditional lines of communication have been shut down, the Internet and other Web technologies have taken over as the primary sources of information. Through the courage and ingenuity of thousands of Iranians, we have access to pictures and videos showing images that are both horrific and inspiring. Let’s hope that this openness will help lead Iranians to a free, safe and democratic society.

Reach columnist Mike Noon at opinion@dailyuw.com.