[tor-project] OONI Monthly Report: January 2023

[Maria Xynou]

Hello,

This email shares OONI's monthly report for January 2023.

*# OONI Monthly Report: January 2023*

Throughout January 2023, the OONI team worked on the following sprints:

* Sprint 82 (2nd-15th January 2023)
* Sprint 83 (16th-29th January 2023)

Our work can be tracked through the various OONI GitHub repositories:
https://github.com/ooni

Highlights are shared in this report below.

*## OONI Probe Mobile*

We added support to OONI Probe Mobile for the re-testing of URLs that
presented anomalies (https://github.com/ooni/probe-android/pull/554). This
new feature enables OONI Probe users to more easily re-test URLs that
present signs of blocking, thereby contributing more measurements that
potentially contain evidence of internet censorship.

We also made improvements to RTL support for both OONI Probe Mobile and
Desktop (https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/2346), we removed the
RiseupVPN test option from the app settings (
https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/2204), we improved upon how tests are
run on iOS (https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/2175), and we continued
working towards rewriting OONI Probe Mobile in Flutter (
https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/2359).

*## OONI Run*

We worked towards ensuring that OONI Run links continue performing tests on
iOS, even when the device is locked (
https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/2361).

Notably, we collaborated with the Localization Lab (
https://www.localizationlab.org/) on creating a new localization project
for OONI Run on Transifex (https://explore.transifex.com/otf/ooni-run/) and
we uploaded the relevant strings for translation. This enabled the
localization community to start translating the OONI Run platform (
https://run.ooni.io/), making it more accessible to communities worldwide.

*## Published OONI Run screencast*

To enable communities to use OONI Run (https://run.ooni.io/) to coordinate
website censorship testing, we created a screencast which shows how to use
the platform. In creating this screencast, we wrote a script (which appears
as subtitles, which can be translated) and we created a screen recording
illustrating how to use OONI Run.

We published the OONI Run screencast on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGRN7ve6cIA

*## OONI Probe CLI*

We carried out development and quality assurance work to prepare the OONI
Probe CLI 3.17.x release. To this end, we released OONI Probe ClI
v3.17.0-alpha (https://github.com/ooni/probe-cli/releases/tag/v3.17.0-alpha)
 and OONI Probe CLI v3.17.0-alpha.1 (
https://github.com/ooni/probe-cli/releases/tag/v3.17.0-alpha.1). As part of
this work, we merged a fix that prevents the Web Connectivity v0.5
experiment from fetching data from the localhost (
https://github.com/ooni/probe-cli/pull/1027).

We also added support for performing A/B testing between Web Connectivity
v0.4 (the current stable release) and v0.5 (the new Web Connectivity
version). Once OONI Probe CLI 3.17.0 is released, we will start using this
mechanism to enable the Web Connectivity v0.5 experiment for some users and
compare the measurement results it collects with the ones collected by the
previous version.

This release also refactors the build system to verify we are building with
the expected compiler flags through unit tests. As part of this work, we
rewrote how we compile tor for Android to add support for patching and
hardening flags.

*## Expanding OONI’s testing model to support richer testing input*

Supporting a richer testing input model requires exposing the full check-in
API response to experiments. Such a response, in fact, potentially includes
configuration flags and other ancillary information that, along with the
input URL, provides richer input.

To move this objective forward, we fixed ooniprobe’s backend client to
observe the full check-in response, rather than just extracting the URLs (
https://github.com/ooni/probe-cli/pull/1037).

We then started using richer input when instantiating experiments by
implementing code to A/B test Web Connectivity implementations. This
feature inspects the check-in API response to extract feature flags (
https://github.com/ooni/probe-cli/pull/1039). We also extended the check-in
API itself to provide a feature flag that selects the Web Connectivity v0.5
experiment for some users.

*## OONI Probe Web*

We worked towards finalizing the development of our new browser-based
censorship measurement tool: OONI Probe Web (https://probe-web.ooni.org/).

In working towards the first beta release, we added support for detecting
the browser being used by the user and displaying a warning text if their
browser configuration could lead to false positives (
https://github.com/ooni/probe-web/pull/5/files).

*## OONI Explorer*

Through January 2023, we worked on the following new OONI Explorer (
https://explorer.ooni.org/) features:

* Improving the domain-centric pages (
https://github.com/ooni/explorer/pull/830);
* Improving the UI of the network-centric pages (
https://github.com/ooni/explorer/issues/744,
https://github.com/ooni/explorer/pull/830);
* Finalizing the user feedback reporting mechanism (
https://github.com/ooni/explorer/issues/811);
* Integrating third-party data (IODA, Cloudflare Radar, Google traffic
data) for the monitoring of internet outages (
https://github.com/ooni/explorer/pull/831).

As part of this work, we worked closely with a designer who carried out UX
research with our community, helping to improve the design and usability of
the above new features and pages.

*## OONI backend*

Through January 2023, we continued to work on a series of backend
improvements.

Specifically, we:
* Added a feature flag for the Web Connectivity v0.5 experiment (
https://github.com/ooni/api/pull/315);
* Added support for returning the test helper addresses as part of the
check-in API (https://github.com/ooni/api/pull/316);
* Merged the initial VPN observation table and extraction into the fastpath
pipeline (https://github.com/ooni/pipeline/pull/399);
* Removed the Tor and Psiphon configurations from the check-in API (
https://github.com/ooni/api/pull/317);
* Wrote an internal design document for the check-in API authentication;
* Wrote an internal design document for our database backup strategy.

*## Automating censorship detection and characterization based on OONI
measurements*

We made progress on the characterization of website censorship through our
OONI data analysis tool (https://github.com/ooni/data/pull/23).

Specifically, we:
* Improved the DNS analysis;
* Made some tweaks to the TCP and NXDOMAIN scoring;
* Improved the TLS analysis to make use of HTTP measurements;
* Improved the code quality.

Moreover, we started implementing a set of data visualizations to be
displayed from the OONI data web interface by integrating the vega
generated charts into react. This lays the foundation for eventually
integrating these charts into OONI Explorer (
https://github.com/ooni/data/pull/25).

*## Creating a Social Media Censorship Alert System*

We continued to make progress on the initial event detector developed for
the new Social Media Censorship Alert System (
https://github.com/ooni/backend/issues/629). As part of this, we monitored
our internal dashboard, ran experiments using the Pandas library, and
created a CSV dump on S3 for reproducible testing. Based on the
experiments, we made performance improvements and we implemented various
changes to improve how cases of potential censorship are detected.

*## Test list updates*

We continued to work towards improving the test lists. Specifically, we
updated the test lists for Tajikistan (
https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/1211), Nigeria (
https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/1208), and Russia (
https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/1206,
https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/1207).

*## OONI reports for the ISOC Pulse project on Internet shutdowns*

As a data partner for the ISOC Pulse project on Internet shutdowns, we
contributed OONI data (along with relevant charts and information) for the
“service blocking” events listed on the ISOC Pulse shutdowns timeline:
https://pulse.internetsociety.org/shutdowns

Specifically, we created OONI reports (including OONI data, charts, and
relevant interpretation of the findings) for many of the “service blocking”
entries listed in the ISOC Pulse shutdown timeline. These reports will be
added under the “Data and Analysis” section of relevant ISOC Pulse shutdown
entries.

Throughout January 2023, we wrote OONI reports for the “service blocking”
entries (where relevant OONI data exists) from 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022
on the ISOC Pulse shutdown timeline.

*## OONI data analysis*

Throughout January 2023, we provided OONI data analysis support to
community members, and we carried out various data analysis tasks in
support of our own research. This includes a year-long analysis of OONI
data collected from Russia (https://github.com/ooni/ooni.org/issues/1331),
as well as analysis of OONI data collected from Venezuela (
https://github.com/ooni/ooni.org/issues/1310).

*## Creating a new OONI Outreach Kit*

In January 2023, we finalized all of the materials for the new OONI
Outreach Kit.

Specifically, we created and finalized the content for the following:

* 3 versions of an (1-page) OONI Probe Fact Sheet
* Long version (2-pages) of an OONI Probe Fact Sheet
* OONI Probe Fact Sheet for Elections
* Document with OONI Probe testing instructions
* 2 versions of an (1-page) OONI Explorer Fact Sheet
* OONI Explorer Fact Sheet for Researchers
* OONI Explorer Fact Sheet for Human Rights Advocates
* OONI Explorer Fact Sheet for Journalists
* Internet Censorship Fact Sheet
* Fact Sheet on How Websites are Blocked
* 2 versions of OONI Brochures
* OONI Resources document

Upon finalizing the Outreach Kit content, we contracted Ura Design (
https://ura.design/) for the design of the materials.

*## Coordination of translation of OONI documents*

To enable more communities around the world to learn about OONI, we aim to
have the following OONI documents translated:

* OONI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): https://ooni.org/support/faq
* OONI Glossary: https://ooni.org/support/glossary
* Potential risks associated with censorship measurement:
https://ooni.org/about/risks/

To this end, we contracted translators for the translation of the above
documents into the following 5 languages: Arabic, Farsi, Russia, Swahili,
and Spanish.

We prioritized these 5 languages because they are spoken in many countries
that experience high levels of internet censorship. We worked with
translators who were already active in the OONI community and therefore
more familiar with OONI’s terminologies, tools, and goals.

In preparation for these translations, we wrote relevant translation
guidelines, which we shared with each of the translators. We subsequently
coordinated with the translators.

*## Updated the OONI FAQ*

On our website, we have an OONI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section
which aims to address the questions that we are frequently asked by the
community (https://ooni.org/support/faq/).

In January 2023, we updated the OONI FAQ page to reflect changes in our
tools and provide up-to-date information and links (
https://github.com/ooni/ooni.org/pull/1334) – particularly in preparation
for the translation of this content.



*## Community use of OONI data### Research report on VPN blocking in Uganda*

Christopher Kalema (OPTIMA research fellow) published a research report
investigating VPN blocking in Uganda and its impact on the country’s
preparations for the 2021 general elections. This study made use of OONI
data to investigate VPN blocking in Uganda.

The research report is available here:
https://internews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VPN-Blocking-During-the-2021-Ugandan-Election.pdf


*### Pakistan started blocking Deutsche Welle (DW)*

On 16th January 2023, OONI data shows that Pakistan started blocking access
to Deutsche Welle (DW):
https://explorer.ooni.org/chart/mat?probe_cc=PK&test_name=web_connectivity&domain=www.dw.com&since=2023-01-04&until=2023-02-04&axis_x=measurement_start_day

This was reported by Oliver Linow (Internet Freedom Specialist at DW), who
shared OONI data on the blocking of DW:
https://twitter.com/OliverLinow/status/1619282417629675522

*## Community activities*

*### SFLC.in panel for the launch of a new report on website blocks in
India*

On 12th January 2023, OONI’s Maria participated as a panelist on SFLC.in’s
panel “Error 404 Website Cannot Be Found”, which launched their new
research report on website blocking in India (
https://sflc.in/finding-404-report-website-blocking-india/).

Information about the event can be found here:
https://sflc.in/error-404-website-cannot-be-found

The panel discussion was live-streamed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB5hlX6dSoI

*### OTF Summit*

Between 24th-26th January 2023, OONI’s Arturo traveled to Texas to
participate in the OTF Summit. As part of his participation, Arturo
co-facilitated a session (in collaboration with Netalitica’s Igor
Valentovitch) on investigating information controls through the use of OONI
tools and the Citizen Lab’s test lists.

*### Roskomsvoboda’s Privacy Day 2023 event*

On 27th January 2023, OONI’s Maria participated as a speaker in
Roskomsvoboda’s Privacy Day 2023 event (https://2023.privacyday.net/), as
part of which she discussed how people in Russia can participate in OONI
censorship measurement.

The event was live-streamed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUPYMW_tsUo

*### OONI Community Meeting*

On 31st January 2023, we hosted the monthly OONI Community Meeting on our
Slack channel (https://slack.ooni.org/), during which we discussed the
following topics:

1. Updates from the OONI team.
2. Updating the OONI Probe test for RiseupVPN.
3. OONI workshops and participation in events in the Global South in 2023.

*## Measurement coverage*

In January 2023, 60,858,923 OONI Probe measurements were collected from
2,899 AS networks in 168 countries around the world.

This information can also be found through our measurement stats on OONI
Explorer (see chart on “monthly coverage worldwide”):
https://explorer.ooni.org/

~ OONI team.
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