Shutdown Academy
60 mins
Mitigating Online Censorship
- Abstract:
- The course will help you understand the various forms of internet censorship, how and when they might occur, and safe methods for circumventing them.
- About this course:
- As repressive governments fight for ever-increasing control of information flows and access, the ubiquity of the internet as a tool for exercising freedom of speech makes it an all-too-common target for censorship. Some countries like China have institutionalised such censorship with national-scale surveillance infrastructure like the Great Firewall, effectively monitoring and controlling what people can access on the internet, in violation of their basic human rights. In this course, we will explore internet censorship in more detail, using several case studies to demonstrate how you can navigate techniques and tools for circumventing these restrictions.
- What do I learn:
- By the end of the course, you will be able to: Understand internet censorship, how it works, and when it can occur Build a map of the various forms of internet censorship using country case studies Navigate various forms of censorship using selected tools and techniques
- What do I need to know:
- The course is designed for people living, working or providing internet freedom and digital safety support to communities in repressive regions.
Trainers
Andrés Azpúrua
Executive Director at VE Inteligente. Activist and researcher, working in the fields of digital security, civic tech and human rights online. Andrés and his team defend the rights of Venezuelans online and help protect activists, independent media and CSOs.
Valentina Aguana
Valentina Aguana is a Venezuelan digital rights activist, computer engineering student and a member of the NGO VE Sin Filtro since 2019. She monitors internet censorship events and analyses cyber attacks that target dissidents from the Venezuelan government. Valentina also gives training to journalists and activists regarding privacy and security issues.
- 1.1 Meet your instructor & learn about the course1.2 What is internet censorship?1.3 How does internet censorship differ from internet shutdown?1.4 How do I know if the internet is being censored?
- 2.1 How the internet works2.2 Routing and IP blocking2.3 Understanding how content is blocked2.4 Understanding Throttling2.5 What is a DNS anyway2.6 When handshakes fail - TCP blocks2.7 Application-layer censorship / DPI
- 3.1 Changing your DNS settings / DoH / DNS over TLS3.2 Circumventing blocks with a VPN3.3 Go borderless with Tor3.4 On the Go with TAILS3.5 CENO browser
- 4.1 Your site being blocked: First steps & things to consider4.2 Case study - VPNs & internet censorship4.3 Case study - How Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty circumvents internet censorship4.4 Censorship resilient services and website mirrors4.5 Web encryption: HTTPS, ESNI and more
- 5.1 Wrap-up video5.2 Course survey
Related courses
60 mins
Shutdown Academy
Documenting Human Rights Violations During Internet Shutdowns
WITNESS60 mins
Shutdown Academy
Documenting Human Rights Violations During Internet Shutdowns
WITNESS
90 mins
Shutdown Academy
Measuring Internet Censorship with OONI tools and Open Data
Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI)90 mins
Shutdown Academy
Measuring Internet Censorship with OONI tools and Open Data
Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI)
Suggested reading
Blog
Building Capacity for Monitoring & Documenting Human Rights Violations
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the efficacy of strategies used by HRPs/HRMOs for communicating during blackouts. The goal of this project envisages to see a ZimbabweanCivilSociety that is prepared to document and monitor human rights violations without hiccups during internet shutdowns.
Blog
Advocacy Assembly Internet Shutdown Academy: Creative Strategies to Fight Back
Internet shutdowns are occurring increasingly globally, posing significant threats to freedom of expression, access to information & economic growth. These shutdowns manifest in various forms through different technical measures & are implemented by governments in various circumstances. Responding to this threat of internet shutdowns, Advocacy Assembly designed the Internet Shutdown Academy, a set of 10 full online courses in 7 languages!
Blog
Evaluating the Efficacy of State-Imposed Telecom Shutdowns in Northwest Nigeria
This article casts doubt on the shutdowns' effectiveness in curbing banditry, exposing alternative explanations for any temporary decrease in attacks. It questions the legitimacy of justifying these shutdowns as effective counter-terrorism measures, advocating for alternative approaches that prioritize community engagement, human rights, and development initiatives to address the root causes of insecurity and foster lasting peace in Northwestern Nigeria and Nigeria at large.
Blog
Impact of the Twitter Ban in Nigeria
This post is a research study on the impact of the Twitter ban in Nigeria on Human Rights Monitoring, Advocacy and Creativity. Read more.
Blog
Four Free Toolkits to Fight Internet Shutdowns
Let’s tell you a little bit more about each toolkit!
Blog
The Impact of Internet Disruptions on Farmers in Nigeria
In Nigeria’s Northwestern Sokoto State, farm workers grapple with geopolitical challenges, shifting climate realities, and economic turbulence. However, they now face a new, growing threat: a troubling rise in internet disruptions, which threatens their ability to work in an increasingly digitally connected world. Read more.