Censorship & Safeguards: Strengthening Internet Protocols

Nick Sullivan
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  • TECHNOLOGY
Censorship & Safeguards: Strengthening Internet Protocols

This podcast series examines how internet censorship shapes global access to information and the technical safeguards needed to ensure a free and open web. We dive into the mechanics of filtering, circumvention strategies, and the role of internet protocols in protecting privacy, security, and freedom of expression. Voice and scripts by NotebookLM with input from Nick Sullivan and published research.

Episodes

  1. FEB 11

    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.

    21 min

  2. FEB 4

    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.

    16 min

  3. JAN 31

    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. References Nabi, Zubair. “Censorship is Futile.” arXiv, 2 Nov. 2014, https://arxiv.org/pdf/1411.0225v1.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. “Global Internet Censorship and Control: 2008–2022.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, https://carnegieendowment.org/files/Global_Internet_Censorship_and_Control_2008-2022.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. “Internet Censorship and Control: Essay and Glossary.” Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Dec. 2023, https://cyber.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2023-12/Internet Censorship and Control Essay and Glossary_0.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. Hall, Joseph Lorenzo, et al. “A Survey of Worldwide Censorship Techniques.” RFC 9505, Internet Research Task Force, Nov. 2023, https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc9505. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. “Research2017: Global Internet Censorship - Internet Monitor.” ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376287996_Research2017_Global_Internet_Censorship_Internet_Monitor. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. Brunke, Peter J. “PhD Dissertation.” ResearchGate, Dec. 2021, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366375939_brunke_peter_j_202112_phd. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. Feldstein, Steven. “Government Internet Shutdowns Are Changing. How Should Citizens and Democracies Respond?” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Mar. 2022, https://carnegie-production-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/files/Feldstein_Internet_shutdowns_final.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. Xue, Diwen, et al. “Bridging Barriers: A Survey of Challenges and Priorities in the Censorship Circumvention Landscape.” USENIX Security Symposium, Aug. 2024, https://censorbib.nymity.ch/pdf/Xue2024b.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. Clayton, Richard, Steven J. Murdoch, and Robert N. M. Watson. “Ignoring the Great Firewall of China.” University of Cambridge, Computer Laboratory, https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/ignoring.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

    26 min

  4. JAN 31

    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. References 1. Nabi, Zubair. “Censorship is Futile.” *arXiv*, 2 Nov. 2014, https://arxiv.org/pdf/1411.0225v1.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 2. “Global Internet Censorship and Control: 2008–2022.” *Carnegie Endowment for International Peace*, https://carnegieendowment.org/files/Global_Internet_Censorship_and_Control_2008-2022.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 3. “Internet Censorship and Control: Essay and Glossary.” *Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society*, Dec. 2023, https://cyber.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2023-12/Internet%20Censorship%20and%20Control%20Essay%20and%20Glossary_0.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 4. Hall, Joseph Lorenzo, et al. “A Survey of Worldwide Censorship Techniques.” *RFC 9505*, Internet Research Task Force, Nov. 2023, https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc9505. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 5. “Research2017: Global Internet Censorship - Internet Monitor.” *ResearchGate*, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376287996_Research2017_Global_Internet_Censorship_Internet_Monitor. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 6. Brunke, Peter J. “PhD Dissertation.” *ResearchGate*, Dec. 2021, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366375939_brunke_peter_j_202112_phd. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 7. Feldstein, Steven. “Government Internet Shutdowns Are Changing. How Should Citizens and Democracies Respond?” *Carnegie Endowment for International Peace*, Mar. 2022, https://carnegie-production-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/files/Feldstein_Internet_shutdowns_final.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 8. Xue, Diwen, et al. “Bridging Barriers: A Survey of Challenges and Priorities in the Censorship Circumvention Landscape.” *USENIX Security Symposium*, Aug. 2024, https://censorbib.nymity.ch/pdf/Xue2024b.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 9. Clayton, Richard, Steven J. Murdoch, and Robert N. M. Watson. “Ignoring the Great Firewall of China.” *University of Cambridge, Computer Laboratory*, https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/ignoring.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

    16 min

  5. JAN 31

    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. 1. Nabi, Zubair. “Censorship is Futile.” *arXiv*, 2 Nov. 2014, https://arxiv.org/pdf/1411.0225v1.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 2. “Global Internet Censorship and Control: 2008–2022.” *Carnegie Endowment for International Peace*, https://carnegieendowment.org/files/Global_Internet_Censorship_and_Control_2008-2022.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 3. “Internet Censorship and Control: Essay and Glossary.” *Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society*, Dec. 2023, https://cyber.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2023-12/Internet%20Censorship%20and%20Control%20Essay%20and%20Glossary_0.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 4. Hall, Joseph Lorenzo, et al. “A Survey of Worldwide Censorship Techniques.” *RFC 9505*, Internet Research Task Force, Nov. 2023, https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc9505. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 5. “Research2017: Global Internet Censorship - Internet Monitor.” *ResearchGate*, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376287996_Research2017_Global_Internet_Censorship_Internet_Monitor. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 6. Brunke, Peter J. “PhD Dissertation.” *ResearchGate*, Dec. 2021, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366375939_brunke_peter_j_202112_phd. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 7. Feldstein, Steven. “Government Internet Shutdowns Are Changing. How Should Citizens and Democracies Respond?” *Carnegie Endowment for International Peace*, Mar. 2022, https://carnegie-production-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/files/Feldstein_Internet_shutdowns_final.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 8. Xue, Diwen, et al. “Bridging Barriers: A Survey of Challenges and Priorities in the Censorship Circumvention Landscape.” *USENIX Security Symposium*, Aug. 2024, https://censorbib.nymity.ch/pdf/Xue2024b.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 9. Clayton, Richard, Steven J. Murdoch, and Robert N. M. Watson. “Ignoring the Great Firewall of China.” *University of Cambridge, Computer Laboratory*, https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/ignoring.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

    14 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

This podcast series examines how internet censorship shapes global access to information and the technical safeguards needed to ensure a free and open web. We dive into the mechanics of filtering, circumvention strategies, and the role of internet protocols in protecting privacy, security, and freedom of expression. Voice and scripts by NotebookLM with input from Nick Sullivan and published research.

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