In an increasingly connected world, access to the internet is a basic expectation—but often taken for granted. Across the globe, users face censorship, blocked websites, impaired messaging apps, and throttled connections, and many are left unaware of these disruptions. OONI, the Open Observatory of Network Interference, is a vital global initiative providing transparency and empowerment by measuring such interference. Established in 2012 under The Tor Project, OONI democratizes censorship detection by enabling individuals to run OONI Probe, a free and open-source tool that identifies when and where networks restrict internet access. Collected data feeds into a public database—OONI Explorer—allowing researchers, journalists, and citizens to explore censorship patterns worldwide.
How OONI Detects and Maps Internet Suppression
OONI Probe isn’t just a single-purpose app—it runs a suite of network tests, including:
- Web Connectivity: detects whether websites are blocked.
- App Accessibility: checks access to platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Messenger, Facebook, and more.
- DNS and HTTP Consistency: reveals manipulation by DNS hijacking or HTTP filtering.
- Circumvention Tool Checks: evaluates whether access to Tor, Psiphon, Lantern, and other anonymity tools is blocked.
- Network Performance Tests like NDT (Network Diagnostic Test) to measure bandwidth and latency. Once runs are completed, results are shared (voluntarily) in near real-time—creating a transparent and dynamic view of global interference.
All these capabilities make OONI a powerful force for digital accountability.
A Global Network of Data and Accountability
Since its launch, OONI has aggregated over 1.4 billion network measurements from 241 countries (en.wikipedia.org). The project’s public dashboards, particularly OONI Explorer, allow anyone to explore censorship snapshots over time—revealing blocked social media in Tanzania, internet shutdowns in Bangladesh, or Wikipedia bans in China (en.wikipedia.org). Beyond raw data, OONI’s Measurement Aggregation Toolkit (MAT) simplifies the creation of visual charts and trends from global measurements—empowering journalists, activists, and educators to tell real stories backed by evidence (oecd-opsi.org).
Accessible Tools That Amplify Civic Power
OONI’s suite of tools is designed for users at all levels:
- OONI Probe is available across platforms—Android, iOS, desktop, and command-line interface—meaning anyone can participate (github.com).
- OONI Explorer brings datasets to life with maps, timelines, and filterable views.
- For developers and academics, the OONI API provides raw data access, ideal for independent research and deeper analysis (api.ooni.io).
By making all tools free, open-source, and transparent, OONI rejects secrecy and empowers communities to detect interference and advocate for internet freedom.
Stories of Resilience: Internet Freedom in Action
OONI’s impact isn’t theoretical—it’s saving voices. Highlights from its work include:
- Uncovering the mass blocking of independent media during Cuba’s constitutional referendum, where measurements highlighted widespread content suppression (en.wikipedia.org).
- Documenting widespread social media shutdowns during Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising and intentional Telegram blockages during Kenya’s national exam period (ooni.org).
- Tracking the broad censorship enacted in Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including popular news and social media sites (en.wikipedia.org).
These insights are more than snapshots—they have informed international reporting, influenced activists, and fostered informed digital rights advocacy.
Get Involved—How You Can Support Internet Transparency
OONI thrives because users take action. You can contribute too:
- Run OONI Probe on your device to detect interference in your region.
- Explore data on OONI Explorer to stay informed and support digital rights communities.
- Use the API to build tools, reports, or stories that increase awareness and accountability.
Additionally, OONI offers learning events, mailing lists, Slack channels, and opportunities to join as ambassadors—creating a collaborative, global network of defenders for an open internet (ooni.org).
Why Supporting OONI Through the Affiliate Link Matters
Accessing OONI via the affiliate link helps sustain their infrastructure. You’ll gain direct entry to all tools—Probe, Explorer, API—and support a nonprofit with a mission centered on transparency, justice, and digital empowerment. Every interaction helps the project monitor censorship, raise awareness, and provide protections for online communities worldwide.
A World Without Digital Blindspots
In a world of digital barriers and state-controlled access, OONI acts as a global truth detector—revealing, informing, and inspiring change. Through crowdsourced measurements and unparalleled transparency, it champions a future where no network suppression goes unnoticed. If you value a free and open internet—empowering partners like OONI is a powerful first step.
Become a part of the movement. Visit OONI today to explore, contribute, or simply join the fight for digital freedom.
