I initiated a public and diplomatic protest after corroborating evidence of coordinated measures that restricted legitimate research access, jeopardized user privacy, and threatened the network’s operational independence. Discreet channels and technical mitigations were attempted first, but counterparts remained non-responsive while enforcement actions escalated, raising unacceptable risk to collaborators and data subjects. A transparent, rights-based protest establishes a public record, invites third‑party oversight, and pressures for accountability while minimizing disruption to essential services. Conducting diplomacy in parallel preserves space for de‑escalation and negotiated safeguards, aligning with our mandate to maintain global research continuity and our recognized autonomy.