Open Technology Fund

@chinafile.bsky.social’s Jessica Batke and @whiskeyocelot.bsky.social, authors of a new report that reshapes our understanding of Chinese censorship, spoke to the @washingtonpost.com about how the “Locknet” works.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Big Brother gets new powers in China with digital ID system China is launching a digital ID system, giving Beijing greater control over online activity and further raising concerns about surveillance and censorship.

I talked to @washingtonpost.com for this piece on China's digital ID system. It's a great example of two key features of the Locknet: 1) different aspects of the censorship system reinforce each other, and 2) pushing the policeman into citizens heads.
wapo.st/4kBkkEc

"In practice, online censorship in China functions more like a massive water management system: an amalgamation of canals and locks that regulates what flows, through which particular channels, and at what times." locknet.chinafile.com/the-locknet/...

I highly recommend this piece on internet censorship in China by Jessica Batke and ‪@whiskeyocelot.bsky.social‬ locknet.chinafile.com/the-locknet/... Whether you're an expert on the topic or completely new to it, I can guarantee you will come away with a better understanding.

Amazing work here. One of the smartest and most comprehensive reports ever done on Chinese censorship -- a topic that's going to become so much more relevant as DeepSeek and other Chinese LLMs continue to grab territory

New @opentechfund.bsky.social-supported research reshapes our understanding of Chinese censorship. It's not simply a "firewall," it's a "locknet"—a dynamic, multi-layered system of total information control.

This research reshapes our understanding of China’s censorship model. We must engage with its reality & understand the CCP’s ambitions within it—as it exists on the mainland and as it projects out into the rest of the world. (4/4)

One of the key findings is that China’s censorship model is ambitious in scope, shaping the digital architecture of the global internet in ways that affect users outside of China too. (3/4)

Instead of a technical splinternet, China’s censorship model maintains connection to the global internet – upending an assumed tradeoff between the economic benefits of connection and authoritarian desire for information control. (2/4)

Supported by @opentechfund.bsky.social: @chinafile.bsky.social’s Jessica Batke & @whiskeyocelot.bsky.social explain that Chinese censorship isn’t simply a “firewall, but a “locknet” – a multi-level system of socio-technical controls. (1/4)
locknet.chinafile.com/the-locknet/...

Impacts and Outcomes We have supported pioneering open source internet freedom technologies that counter authoritarian information controls and enhance digital security and privacy so that all people can exercise their fundamental...

@opentechfund.bsky.social’s UXD Lab has provided more than 190 usability-support engagements for internet freedom tools.

Learn more about the Lab and other key results from our internet freedom work:

OTF

Learn how @opentechfund.bsky.social works hard to provide millions of people around the world with access to innovative technologies that enable people to securely and reliably exercise free expression online. (4/4)
www.opentech.fund

Their recommendations align with @opentechfund.bsky.social’s mission: Funding the development of cutting-edge, open source anti-censorship and end-to-end encrypted tools + prioritizing support for privacy-preserving tech that incorporates best-in-class security standards. (3/4)

The report, also authored by @eui-eu.bsky.social, highlights how @opentechfund.bsky.social-supported tools are critical to bypassing repressive censorship in China, Cuba, and Iran, and safeguarding millions of users’ personal data. (2/4)

📣NEW REPORT from @freedomhouse.bsky.social explains why anti-censorship and secure messaging tech are foundational to a free and open internet—underscoring the importance of @opentechfund.bsky.social’s countering digital authoritarianism. (1/4)
globalgovernanceprogramme.eui.eu/wp-content/u...

TechRadar: “Iran encourages citizens to use a messaging app previously flagged as a state surveillance tool” by @opentechfund.bsky.social.

Our Security Lab found that the domestic Bale Messenger compromises user data and puts their privacy and security at risk.

www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-priv...

Despite constraints, @opentechfund.bsky.social continues to work with our VPNs and shutdown mitigation tools so that millions of Iranians each day can access independent information and stay connected. (4/4)

"As the war unfolds and in its aftermath, Iranians may have a chance to forge a new political destiny. They need truth to counter the regime's lies ... and U.S. communications technology can help them get it." (3/4)

"In the days since Israel began bombing nuclear sites, Iranians have needed access to news and information that can counter Iran's propaganda ... But Iran wants to limit its citizens' access to information from the outside world." (2/4)

Opinion | A Bad Time to Stifle Radio Free Iran Kari Lake is slashing Radio Farda when it is needed most.

@wsj.com: "Ms. Lake has ... done little to help Iranians get the virtual private networks, or VPNs, they need to dodge regime censorship on the Internet and social media." Here's why this matters 🧵(1/4)
www.wsj.com/opinion/radi...

OTF

Learn more about how we are supporting Iranian Internet freedom. (6/6)

www.opentech.fund

Simultaneously, demand for @opentechfund.bsky.social -supported shutdown resistant technologies is spiking as they are some of the only options for Iranians to stay connected and access information. (5/6)

Thankfully, @opentechfund.bsky.social -supported VPNs have proven to be resilient. They are still serving millions of users per day despite the regime's efforts at blocking. (4/6)

While Iranian state news is still accessible, mobile networks are largely shut down for domestic and international data. This has implications for millions of users who are turning to VPNs to access independent news. (3/6)

@opentechfund.bsky.social we are seeing the full weight of Iran's digital information control capabilities, combining both heightened censorship and international network shutdowns. (2/6)

The Internet is a critical information lifeline for tens of millions of Iranians. Since Wednesday, the Iranian government has significantly increased online censorship and network interference to prevent Iranians from accessing information about the conflict. (1/6)

Impacts and Outcomes We have supported pioneering open source internet freedom technologies that counter authoritarian information controls and enhance digital security and privacy so that all people can exercise their fundamental...

@opentechfund.bsky.social’s Information Controls Fellowship Program has supported more than 85 fellows to advance research into repressive censorship and surveillance.

Learn more about this research, plus other key results from our internet freedom work:

Impacts and Outcomes We have supported pioneering open source internet freedom technologies that counter authoritarian information controls and enhance digital security and privacy so that all people can exercise their fundamental...

@opentechfund.bsky.social’s #FOSS Sustainability Fund helps to ensure that free and open source software projects, and the communities that sustain them, have the resources they need.

Learn more about this Fund and other key results from our internet freedom work:

Impacts and Outcomes We have supported pioneering open source internet freedom technologies that counter authoritarian information controls and enhance digital security and privacy so that all people can exercise their fundamental...

@opentechfund.bsky.social’s Rapid Response Fund has supported over 400 rapid response interventions in more than 80 countries, including China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, and Uganda.

Learn more about the Fund, plus other key results from our internet freedom work:

@opentechfund.bsky.social’s Lab partner @srlabs.bsky.socil's audit of Reproducible Builds’ code found that it is well-configured to mitigate many common hacking risks.

Learn more and access the full audit report:
buff.ly/aIwO3ci