NetBlocks Framework

NetBlocks is a modular technology framework for internet governance transparency, enabling real-time detection and monitoring of mass-scale network controls which affect entire regions and populations.

NetBlocks (netblocks.org) is a modular technology framework for transparent internet governance and real-time monitoring of network controls. The platform combines probe hardware, remote scans and other data sources to provide an enhanced view of internet health that is aggregated and statistically analyzed in real-time, with the goal of rapidly detecting interference affecting whole regions and populations such as during periods of political unrest. OTF supported NetBlocks growth resulting in hundreds of thousands of measurements from thousands of vantage points each month. The project has released numerous open source tools and produced reports on Iran, Cameroon, Pakistan and Bangladesh, among others.

NetBlocks is the technology project of Turkey Blocks, a network observatory which focuses on internet shutdowns and social network availability. The system is a synthesis and refinement of tools and techniques that have been successfully used to reduce the time to detection, increase the accuracy of network interference reports and improve the digital forensic quality of collected metrics.

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Funding to date

2017 $100,000 12 months

Internet Freedom Fund

Total Funding: $100,000

Addressed problems

Restrictive Internet filtering by technical methods (IP blocking, DNS filtering, TCP RST, DPI, etc.)
Blocking, filtering, or modification of political, social, and/or religious content (including apps)
Technical attacks against government critics, journalists, and/or human rights organizations (Cyberattacks)
Localized or nationwide communications shut down or throttling (Blackouts)
Physical intimidation, arrest, violence (including device seizure or destruction), and death for political or social reasons
Government practices that hold intermediaries (social networks or ISPs) liable for user content

Objective(s)

Deploying technology
Software or hardware development
Research
Technology development

Beneficiaries

General public
Women
Activists
Journalists
Technologists
Government

NetBlocks Framework

NetBlocks is a modular technology framework for internet governance transparency, enabling real-time detection and monitoring of mass-scale network controls which affect entire regions and populations.

Get the word out

Funding to date

Total Funding: $100,000

Addressed problems

Objective(s)

Beneficiaries

Region(s) archive

Technology attributes

We wrote about it

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