SUBJECT LINE: Digital Iran Reloaded: Iranian Gamer Mitigation Tactics of IRI Information Controls– Monthly Report – September 2024
About the project
My research aims to show the types of censorship circumvention techniques Iranian gamers use and thereafter clarify the gaps between the internet freedom community and commonly used censorship circumvention tools in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). To do so, I will interview Iranian gamers to contextualize their circumvention strategies with VPNs commonly supported and created within the internet freedom community by testing these varied circumvention techniques.
Additionally, I will cross-analyze my findings with the IRI’s internet tiering system that consequently segregates users based on status, ultimately determining each citizen’s level of internet access. Through this lens, I will study internet connectivity and how the National Information Network under the Supreme Council of Cyberspace of Iran enforces tiering to mitigate user access and acts of protest.
The main goal is therefore to produce a solution for better assisting high-risk internet users in Iran, while also highlighting issues of internet access implemented by the IRI. Another broader impact includes providing valuable information to the circumvention tools developer community and internet policy makers, at a global level.
PUBLIC
Activities during September 2024
- Finished semi-structured interviews on sensitive subject matter with direct regard to the IRI’s suppression methods. Like the initial interview process, I have continued to gather insights regarding the use of VPNs and DNS use.
- Met with Ainita Project stakeholder over the course of September via Signal on testing and various ping measurements for different devices (mobile, mac book, etc.) and video games, and how to use RIPE Atlas, etc.
- Ainita Project will likely test the three most reported VPNs from the survey against the video games tested (PubG, Roblox, FC23, Call of Duty, Clash of Clans, Fortnite), measuring latency and security. I will see the costs and if that can fit within the leftover budget paid by OTF reimbursement.
- Ended the survey. Currently have over 600 responses.
- Attended the Global Gathering and facilitated a circle.
- My circle had about 20 people attend. People asked insightful questions. I also had the support of stakeholders while there. It overall was a super positive experience.
- Made new connections; some Lantern employees were very curious about the data analysis
- I also met with stakeholders during the gathering.
- My circle had about 20 people attend. People asked insightful questions. I also had the support of stakeholders while there. It overall was a super positive experience.
Activities for next month
During October, I will begin hierarchical regression analysis of the survey data. I will compare the analysis of survey data with participant data. I will hold meetings with stakeholders, and inquire about a write up from the Ainita Project, who would like to convey the complexities of acquiring the latency data for the video games. I will also keep in communication with the Ainita Project about the VPN testing.