Internet censorship is an (in)visible threat that is increasingly becoming more pervasive around the world -- often impacting vulnerable communities the most.
Today, nearly every country experiences some form of internet censorship. What varies is the content being restricted—and the consequences of that restriction. In many cases, governments block access to a broad range of websites and applications; in more extreme scenarios, they shut down internet access entirely. These practices are spreading globally, posing significant threats to human rights and undermining fundamental democratic freedoms. As political dynamics shift, so too does the landscape of internet censorship worldwide.
How has internet censorship evolved globally over the past decade? How have advocacy and circumvention tool groups monitored and responded to emergent censorship events?
Join this session to learn about global internet censorship trends revealed through a decade of OONI network measurement data, how the global #KeepItOn advocacy campaign fights internet shutdowns, and how Tor Project tools support censorship circumvention efforts.
Speakers
Maria Xynou is a fellow at the Berkman Klein Center, where she is conducting a longitudinal study of the changing global internet censorship landscape. She is also a Director of the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), a nonprofit organization that provides free software tools and open data to empower the public to monitor and respond to internet censorship worldwide. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Tor Project. Since 2016, Maria has led OONI’s strategic growth, established partnerships with 50 digital rights organizations, and published more than 70 research reports documenting internet censorship worldwide – many of which received international press coverage. Previously, she worked with Tactical Tech and India’s Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) on a range of privacy and digital security projects. In recognition of her impact in the field of internet freedom, Maria received the 2023 Free and Open Communications on the Internet (FOCI) Community Award.
Felicia Anthonio is #KeepItOn Campaign Manager at Access Now, a global campaign of over 345 organizations that fights against internet shutdowns. Felicia leads the coalition's advocacy work, documenting and reporting shutdowns and engaging with diverse state and non-state actors to push for an end to shutdowns around the world. She has authored and co-authored several publications on internet shutdowns featured on Access Now, Yale University, CIPESA and Bloomsbury Collections websites. Felicia hosted The Kill Switch podcast and was featured on The Shutdown documentary by BBC World Service. Felicia is an Advisory Council member of the US-based Open Technology Fund (OTF) and a board member of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Norway. Before joining Access Now, Felicia worked as Programme Associate, press freedom and free speech advocate, at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) where she coordinated the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX). She is a member of the African Digital Rights Network and a 2019 Fellow of the African Internet Governance School (AfriSIG). She holds a Master’s Degree in Lettres, Langues et Affaires Internationales from l’ Université d’Orléans, France and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Psychology from the University of Ghana.
Roger Dingledine is Co-Founder and Original Developer for the Tor Project, a nonprofit organization that develops free and open-source software used by millions worldwide for online anonymity, privacy, and censorship circumvention. Wearing one hat, Roger works with journalists and activists on many continents to help them understand and defend against the threats they face. Wearing another, he is a prominent researcher in the online anonymity field, coordinating and mentoring academic researchers working on Tor-related topics. Since 2002, Roger has helped organize the yearly international Privacy Enhancing Technologies Symposium (PETS). Among his achievements, Roger co-authored the Tor design paper that won the Usenix Security "Test of Time" award, EFF picked him for a Pioneer Award, and he has been recognized by Foreign Policy magazine as one of its top 100 global thinkers.