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steve2470

(37,468 posts)
Wed Dec 20, 2017, 03:19 PM Dec 2017

Test your Internet for censorship

(yes that's the original title in my email)

Steve,

Now that the FCC has voted to gut net neutrality protections and let ISPs do whatever they want, companies like Comcast and Verizon will likely waste no time experimenting with new ways to mess with our Internet connections and squeeze us for more money.

(The new rules aren’t even in effect yet, but that probably won’t stop them.)

So we’re unleashing a new app that lets you test whether your Internet provider is slowing down your connection, violating net neutrality, or engaging in censorship. Get it here.


(non-clickable pic of the icons)


This free, open source tool was developed by our friends at the Open Observatory of Network Interference, part of the Tor Project. It makes it simple to:

‍Measure the speed and performance of your network
‍Measure video streaming performance
‍Check whether and how websites are blocked
‍Find systems that could be responsible for censorship or surveillance

Help catch ISPs in the act of violating net neutrality. Get the app today.

The battle for net neutrality will rage on in Congress and in the courts, but in the meantime we need to take steps to defend ourselves from ISP abuses.

Forward this email widely and tell everyone you know to take this simple step: http://www.testyourinter.net/

For the Internet,

-Evan at Fight for the Future

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Test your Internet for censorship (Original Post) steve2470 Dec 2017 OP
how about for home computers?? Angry Dragon Dec 2017 #1
not yet, just for mobile so far AFAIK nt steve2470 Dec 2017 #2
try this for a home pc steve2470 Dec 2017 #3
thank you Angry Dragon Dec 2017 #4
Before you install. Big Blue Marble Dec 2017 #5
with all due respect, which warnings ? steve2470 Dec 2017 #6
I downloaded the app on my phone. Big Blue Marble Dec 2017 #7
Understandable Egnever Dec 2017 #8
Interesting! Thanks!!! RKP5637 Dec 2017 #9
All clear here!!! Works well!!! Thanks again!!! n/t RKP5637 Dec 2017 #10

steve2470

(37,468 posts)
6. with all due respect, which warnings ?
Wed Dec 20, 2017, 04:10 PM
Dec 2017

Last edited Thu Dec 21, 2017, 01:32 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm not all about being careless, but I need to hear your concerns. Thank you in advance for your careful analysis.

Egnever, please chime in here also. Thanks Egnever.

Big Blue Marble

(5,474 posts)
7. I downloaded the app on my phone.
Wed Dec 20, 2017, 05:06 PM
Dec 2017

It offers you a warning page which states that the app may visit questionable porn sites and
other seamy sites that could be problematic. I deleted it.

It sounds like a great idea but even the developers find it necessary to warn us
that it is a risky endeavor.

 

Egnever

(21,506 posts)
8. Understandable
Wed Dec 20, 2017, 11:52 PM
Dec 2017

If it makes you uncomfortable you should not use it.

That said the warnings are there because in an attempt to see if you are being blocked it tests against sites that are often blocked . Depending on where you are it could result in nothing more than failing the tests in others where the internet is tightly filtered it could flag your use to government or work authorities.

That could get you in trouble in some situations. If it say tested against a porn site at work and your IT department was monitoring for that it could get you hauled in front of the boss to explain why you were watching porn on the job.

In an authoritarian country it could get you hauled off to jail.

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