Awala

I adapted the season finale of the Inside Awala podcast, on how I see the future of Internet censorship and @awala.app's role, to a blog post: awala.app/en/blog/2025... - TL;DR below 👇

Government Internet Shutdowns Cost $7.69B in 2024 Our annual report analyzes every major intentional internet shutdown in 2024 and reveals that they cost the world economy $7.69 billion.

The 2024 Cost of Internet Shutdowns report is out. 648.4 million people affected by 167 self-imposed internet outages across 28 countries. 88,788 hours of government-sponsored disruptions, of which 49,101 were Internet blackouts. See: www.top10vpn.com/research/cos...

It was incredibly painful to record this episode, but here it is: Listen to my journey attempting to test @awala.app in the real world. After facing significant funding challenges with my initial plans, I decided to *extend* Awala's scope to incorporate a VPN, initially targeting China.

Done! 🙌

Exciting news! The next episode of the Inside Awala podcast drops next week—slightly delayed, but for a good reason. We're gearing up for a big announcement! 🎉 This episode dives into our real-world testing of @awala.app and reveals a surprising plot twist involving China. Stay tuned! Links below 👇

We basically added everyone from the lists above. Reply or DM us to nominate someone/yourself!

Good idea! Behold the Internet Freedom community starter pack: go.bsky.app/TqwPxE6

Good idea! Behold the Internet Freedom community starter pack: go.bsky.app/TqwPxE6

@torproject.org and @0xggus.bsky.social are in the house! 🎉

Done! Thanks! 🙌

Done! Thanks. Looks like I accidentally followed it instead of adding it to the list 😅

Internet Freedom technologists like Tor and yours truly: bsky.app/profile/awal.... This list is seriously lacking though. Someone ping us when Briar, Equalit.ie and others join!

Internet censorship researchers like @citizenlab.ca, @jsrailton.bsky.social, @IODA.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy, @netblocks.bsky.social and @radar.cloudflare.com: bsky.app/profile/awal... (someone ping us when OONI joins!)

Internet Freedom advocates like @freedomhouse.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/awal... (someone ping us when Access Now, OTF and others join!)

We've just created lists for the Internet Freedom community on BlueSky! See below 👇 and reply here to nominate someone/yourself!

Security audit of Awala: Part 1 The core of Awala recently underwent an independent security audit, and no major issues were found.

The first half of the independent security assessment of Awala is now complete! TL;DR: No major issues found. awala.app/en/blog/2024...

Episode 3 of Inside Awala is out! Four years, around a dozen freelancers, and more than $750k in non-dilutive funding from the Open Technology Fund, Mozilla Corporation, and others. That's what it took to build the Awala network, despite significant challenges.

Inside Awala cover art.

Greetings, fellow human! 🖖🏽 I recently started the Inside Awala podcast to share the work we're doing with @awala.bsky.social to support the 73% of the world population that's subject to severe Internet censorship, which restricts their human rights. You'll find it wherever you get your podcasts!