Censorship & Safeguards: Strengthening Internet Protocols

Circumvention Strategies: Bypassing Censorship

We examine popular circumvention methods—VPNs, Tor, and encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT)—and how governments counter them. What makes these tools effective? What are their limitations? Insights from Feldstein reveal the ongoing battle between censors and those fighting for open internet access. Created with NotebookLM.

DDoS Attacks: Tools of Repression and Expression

Censorship isn’t just about blocking—sometimes, it’s about disruption. This episode covers DDoS attacks, how states and non-state actors deploy them, and their impact on independent media. We discuss mitigation techniques, collateral effects, and whether DDoS remains a viable tool for online suppression. Created with NotebookLM.

Deep Packet Inspection and the Rise of HTTPS

We dive into Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), TCP resets, and packet filtering—tools used to inspect and block content. As HTTPS adoption grows, how does it challenge censorship? We examine how encrypted protocols make DPI less effective and discuss the arms race between censors and developers of secure communication tools. Created with NotebookLM.

Early Methods and Economic Levers

We explore early censorship techniques like IP blocking and DNS manipulation, alongside economic levers such as data taxes and ISP restrictions. How did these methods evolve, and how effective were early circumvention strategies? Historical case studies set the stage for more advanced filtering techniques in later episodes. Created with NotebookLM.

The Fundamentals of Internet Censorship

This episode introduces internet censorship, exploring its motivations—political, economic, and cultural. We discuss its impact on societies and individuals, the tools governments use, and a preview of future episodes on filtering, circumvention, and shutdowns. Created with NotebookLM.