Measure internet censorship
summary
OONI Probe is an open-source tool designed to collect evidence of internet censorship by allowing users to perform network tests. By gathering data on blocked websites and apps, the tool builds a comprehensive global dataset. This transparency helps identify where information is being restricted and how censorship mechanisms operate. Users contribute to a global effort to create an open record of digital restrictions.
key points
- OONI Probe allows users to identify specifically which websites and messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram are blocked on their local networks. It provides a toolset for testing the performance of network speed and the effectiveness of various circumvention tools.
- The tool supports multiple platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring wide accessibility for data collection. This cross-platform availability allows for a diverse range of measurements from different geographic locations.
- Test results are published in near real-time to a public dataset, transforming individual network tests into global evidence of censorship. This collective data provides a verified record of internet freedom and restrictions for researchers and activists.
who should read it
People interested in internet freedom, network researchers, and individuals living in regions with high censorship who want to verify their connectivity issues.
discussion mixed
consensus
Commenters disagree on the definition of censorship, debating whether it encompasses only state-level blocking or includes platform moderation and geofencing. While some argue that copyright-based blocks in Western countries are a form of censorship, others maintain that legal compliance and spam prevention are necessary moderation. There is a general agreement that the current tool's focus on network-layer reachability misses a vast amount of platform-level content suppression.
top insight
A distinction is made between 'censorship in transit' (network layer) and 'blocked by destination' (application layer), noting that many sites now geofence specific countries to avoid local laws. This suggests that network reachability tools provide an incomplete picture of internet fragmentation because they cannot distinguish between a state blocking a site and a site blocking a country.
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