Tag Archives: censorship

World Day Against Cyber Censorship

Today we celebrate World Day Against Cyber Censorship, a major online event that focuses on raising awareness of the various ways governments around the world restrict and censor free expression on the Internet. First recognized on 12 March 2008 at the request of Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International, this day serves as an important opportunity for reflection and action against online censorship. At FlokiNET, we join in the celebration of World Day Against Cyber Censorship and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an Internet space that values freedom of expression.

According to freedomhouse.org, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., best known for its policy advocacy on issues of democracy, political freedom, and human rights, the following key findings were noted in the past year: 

Global internet freedom on the decline

For the 13th year in a row, global internet freedom declined, with Iran facing increased digital repression, including internet shutdowns and the blocking of apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram, aimed at suppressing anti-government protests. Myanmar almost overtook China as the world’s worst internet freedom environment, a title China held for nine years. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte used an anti-terrorism law to suppress critical news sites, signalling a worrying deterioration.

Multiple attacks on freedom of expression

Around the world, attacks on free expression surged, with 55 out of 70 countries experiencing legal repercussions for online expression. More alarmingly, 41 countries reported physical attacks or killings linked to online expression. The severity peaked in Myanmar and Iran, where death sentences were handed down for crimes related to online expression. Belarus and Nicaragua saw harsh repression, with dictators Alexander Lukashenko and Daniel Ortega resorting to harsh prison sentences to stifle online speech.

AI and disinformation

AI poses a significant threat to online spaces, with 47 governments doubling down on the use of commentators to manipulate discussions. In at least 16 countries, AI-generated text, audio and images have been used to shape narratives, smear opponents and influence public discourse.

AI and online censorship

AI is enabling governments, particularly authoritarian regimes, to increase online censorship through technologies such as chat bots. In 21 countries, legal frameworks require digital platforms to use machine learning to suppress disfavored speech. Despite these advances, 41 governments continue to block websites protected by freedom of expression standards.

Protecting internet freedom 

Protecting internet freedom is crucial in the face of increasing AI-driven digital repression. While private companies are contributing to self-regulation, concerns about human rights remain. Democratic policymakers must work with global civil society experts to establish human rights-based standards for AI development and deployment.

What can you do? 

In the fight against cyber censorship, consider taking the following steps:

Support, educate yourself and others, and advocate for internet freedom: Get involved in advocacy efforts, support organizations that promote Internet freedom, and stay informed about issues related to online censorship.
You can stay informed by following organizations such as the National Coalition Against Censorship, Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Freedom House, Freedom of the Press Foundation.

Use encrypted communication tools: Use encrypted messaging services and email platforms to secure your communications and protect sensitive information, such as Signal, Element and Proton Mail. 

Support decentralized platforms: Explore and promote decentralized social media platforms and communication tools that are less susceptible to centralized control and censorship. Some platforms we recommend are Mastodon and Matrix for anti-censorship communication.

Stay informed about online safety: Keep up to date with the latest developments in online security, use strong passwords and regularly update your software to mitigate potential cyber threats. Get the latest news and updates on cyber security from sources like KrebsOnSecurity, Schneier on Security and Ars Technica.

Access censored content (if blocked in your region): Use tools such as Tor for anonymous browsing and VPN as a secure tunnel for your internet traffic to access censored content, giving you a safe and private way to browse the internet without restrictions.

Have any questions or suggestions? Let us know at info@flokinet.is or on our social media channels.

Another year, another censorship attempt

On January 15th, 2023, we received a Cease and Desist letter (you can see the letter at the bottom of this page) from the ‘General Counsel’ of Cellebrite Ltd., requiring [us] to immediately shut down the site named “EnlaceHacktivista.org” on the grounds that their intellectual property was made public as part of a series of leaks which also include “Micro Systemation AB” from Sweden. Within these leaked data, it is possible to find documentation with tools developed to break into private devices (phones, tablets and laptops) and extract information.

Both companies are notorious for selling their products to oppressive regimes with very poor human rights records, which use these tools to harass journalists and put their work and lives in danger. So, while a cease and desist letter is an internationally recognized procedure, according to the EU law this leak is protected by the DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/1937 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 October 2019.

We take the protection of our customers’ privacy, security, and general rights seriously and in this case, we have determined this request clearly attempts to use copyright laws to suppress free speech and media, which is not legal as detailed in the DIRECTIVE 2001/29/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL. As a result, we have politely informed the representative of Cellebrite Ltd. that we will not take action.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Last year ended with a similar request regarding this platform: https://blog.flokinet.is/2022/11/11/censorship-in-ecuador/

More information about these companies can be found here:

https://theintercept.com/2021/06/14/myanmar-msab-eu-technology-regulation/

https://signal.org/blog/cellebrite-vulnerabilities/

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/22/signal-founder-i-hacked-police-phone-cracking-tool-cellebrite

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The letter can be found here:

Dear Sir / madam:

I am Cellebrite DI Ltd. and its group companies (“Cellebrite”) General Counsel. It has come to our attention that person(s) operating under the name of “EnlaceHacktIvista.org” (“Enlace”) have a domain under the name of www.EnlaceHacktIvista.org. It has further come to our attention that FlokiNET are the ISP hosting this Enlace domain. On January 13, 2023 Enlace issued a statement on their website notifying of the receipt of certain Cellebrite owned files from an authorized person, and further indicated the “leaks” are available for download in different locations including their said domain.

Cellebrite hereby requires that you immediately shut down www.EnlaceHacktIvista.org and cease and desist from making available or enabling the availability, on such website or otherwise, of any of Cellebrite’s copyrighted software, documentations, scripts or any other artifact identified to be owned by Cellebrite, including, without limitation, the Cellebrite installation files (collectively the “Cellebrite Materials”).

All use or distribution of the Cellebrite Materials is subject to Cellebrite’s end user license agreement (“EULA”). Cellebrite’s EULA provides that the license grant is subject to the terms and conditions of the EULA, including without limitation the restrictions on transfer, assignment or distribution, making the grant of the license conditional on compliance with the terms of the EULA. Under Cellebrite’s EULA, Cellebrite Materials may not be sublicense, transferred or assigned without Cellebrite’s prior written consent. Under Cellebrite’s EULA, Cellebrite Materials may not be distributed, including by selling a product on a secondhand market, nor is it permitted to attempt to distribute Software. As Cellebrite’s EULA does not permit transfer, assignment, distribution or an attempt to distribute Software or other Cellebrite Materials, publishing of Cellebrite Materials infringes Cellebrite’s copyright and other intellectual property rights in such materials.

We, therefore, demand that you immediately cease and desist from making available or aiding in allowing availability of any Cellebrite Materials on the said website www.EnlaceHacktIvista.org or otherwise. Your failure to remove the website or our materials from the website and to provide us with written assurance that you have done so within seven (7) days of the date of this letter will force us to explore additional means of legal redress available to Cellebrite in connection with the unauthorized use of Cellebrite’s copyrighted Software and other materials.

This letter is not intended to exhaust or waive any claim or argument that Cellebrite have or may have. Nothing in this letter (or any lack thereof) shall prejudice any of Cellebrite’s claims, rights or cause of action against you or any other party acting on your behalf.

Respectfully,

General Counsel

Cellebrite DI Ltd.

As we stated before, we will not censor free press and the freedom of speech!