Hello,

Throughout June 2021, the OONI team worked on the following sprints:

* Sprint 40 - Manatee (1-6 June, 2021)
* Sprint 41 - Trumpetfish (7-20 June, 2021)
* Sprint 42 - Kujira (21-30 June, 2021)

Our work can be tracked through the various OONI GitHub repositories: https://github.com/ooni

Highlights are shared in this report below.

## Building a web platform for test list updates

We finalized the URL submission interface by implementing full UI and backend support for submitting URLs from a logged in account. This will allow community members who are not familiar with GitHub to contribute to the Citizen Lab test lists (through a web platform).

Through the interface it is possible to propose the addition of new URLs, edit the category codes or notes of existing URLs, and to propose the deletion of existing URLs. When a set of changes is finalized, a pull request is opened on behalf of the user on GitHub and reviewers of the Citizen Lab test list repository (https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists) are able to merge them while using the existing review workflow (https://github.com/ooni/url-prioritization/, https://github.com/ooni/api/pull/252).

## Building a web platform for URL prioritization

We finalized the implementation of the URL prioritization frontend. This allows members of the OONI team to define priorities for the testing of certain URLs or category codes (from the Citizen Lab test lists) based on OONI’s policy for URL prioritization (https://ooni.org/post/ooni-smart-url-list-system/). This work is documented here: https://github.com/ooni/url-prioritization/

## Automatically confirming DNS-based censorship

We are now in a position to automatically confirm instances of DNS-based censorship (when blockpages are served)!

In June 2021, we added backend support for confirming DNS-based anomalies (https://github.com/ooni/backend/issues/517), and we added new blockpage fingerprints (both DNS and HTTP response body) to our database. This has allowed us to automatically detect and confirm the blocking of many more websites around the world. This work is tracked through the following issue: https://github.com/ooni/backend/issues/518

OONI Explorer now displays many cases of automatically confirmed DNS-based censorship from around the world. Examples include Malaysia (https://explorer.ooni.org/search?until=2021-07-15&since=2021-06-15&probe_cc=MY&only=confirmed), Thailand (https://explorer.ooni.org/search?until=2021-07-15&since=2021-06-15&probe_cc=TH&only=confirmed), Myanmar (https://explorer.ooni.org/search?until=2021-07-15&since=2021-06-15&probe_cc=MM&only=confirmed), and many other countries.

## Improvements to the OONI Measurement Aggregation Toolkit

We made progress on the development of the OONI Measurement Aggregation Toolkit (MAT). Specifically, we added support for filling in missing values inside of the charts so that multi-axis charts appear aligned properly and we added a custom tooltip component to display the breakdown of anomalies, confirmed and OK measurements in a given bar tick (https://github.com/ooni/explorer/pull/600).

## OONI backend

We started reprocessing all OONI data using the fastpath. As part of this work we also slightly changed the way in which files are formatted in s3 based on community feedback and needs. This work is tracked through the relevant GitHub issue:  https://github.com/ooni/backend/issues/357

We made several improvements to how CORS headers are being added to the OONI API responses. This work is needed in order to make the URL submission, prioritization and login UIs work properly with the backend. The relevant pull requests are the following: https://github.com/ooni/api/pull/253 and https://github.com/ooni/api/pull/255.

We developed a new tool for creating rotating test helpers. This allows us to automate the process of spinning up new OONI Probe test helpers, adjusting the needed DNS configuration, setting up TLS certificates for them, and provisioning them with the required test helper code. This work has been done as part of the following pull request:
https://github.com/ooni/pipeline/pull/357

We created a Debian package for the next generation Web Connectivity test helper to reduce the ratio of false positives in measurements: https://github.com/ooni/backend/issues/499 and https://github.com/ooni/probe-cli/pull/374

## Progress on browser-based OONI Probe

We made progress in implementing the web-based OONI Probe. Specifically, we came up with a new technique for measuring URLs that does not rely on the favicon image loading trick, but rather relies on the new fetch API. By configuring the fetch API to query using the “no-cors” mode, we are able to use this as a signal to infer if a specific webpage is blocked or not (https://github.com/ooni/probe-web/commit/50b83108866ab0b63cdf4bd3e0d05013c92836ca).

## Released OONI Probe iOS 3.0.0 with support for automated testing

We released OONI Probe iOS 3.0.0 with support for automated testing: https://github.com/ooni/probe-ios/releases/tag/v3.0.0

Similarly to the OONI Probe Android 3.0.0 release, the OONI Probe iOS 3.0.0 release enables users to have websites tested automatically every hour. This release also includes the new Experimental card (with OONI’s new STUN reachability test), as well as OONI backend proxy support.

## Improvements to OONI Probe Mobile

In response to community feedback, we added support for minimizing a running test. This allows users to continue using OONI Probe while a test is running (https://github.com/ooni/probe-android/pull/441). We also added a badge that indicates (in the running test screen) that a backend proxy is enabled when a test is running (https://github.com/ooni/probe-android/pull/442).

In collaboration with Bloco, we added more tests to the OONI Probe Android app. Specifically, we added tests for the data models: https://github.com/ooni/probe-android/pull/438

## Released OONI Probe Desktop 3.5.0 with RTL support

We released OONI Probe Desktop 3.5.0 with RTL support: https://github.com/ooni/probe-desktop/releases/tag/v3.5.0

OONI Probe Desktop now supports a number of languages that use right-to-left (RTL) scripts, including Arabic and Farsi. We thank the Localization Lab community for the translations (which can be reviewed on Transifex: https://www.transifex.com/otf/ooniprobe/ ).

We also released OONI Probe Desktop 3.5.1 with UX improvements and 100% translation support for Arabic and Farsi: https://github.com/ooni/probe-desktop/releases/tag/v3.5.1

## Improvements to OONI Probe Desktop

We identified and fixed a critical bug in the auto-updater of OONI Probe Desktop which resulted in updates not being carried out properly in versions 3.5.0 and 3.5.1 (https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/1699). The fix has been shipped in OONI Probe Desktop 3.5.2: https://github.com/ooni/probe-desktop/releases/tag/v3.5.2

We made improvements to how the header in the test lists is being displayed. Specifically, the sticky header is now using a different component which makes it appear less “jumpy” when scrolling through the view: https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/1683

## New onboarding screen for crash reporting

We added a new onboarding step to the OONI Probe mobile and desktop apps to enable users to opt-in to submitting crash reports to us. We hope that this will result in more users opting-in to submitting crash reports, enabling us to have more crash logs to improve the stability of the OONI Probe mobile and desktop apps. This work is documented through the following ticket: https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/1455

## Developing a new OONI Probe test for the Snowflake pluggable transport

We continued to make important progress towards developing and shipping a new OONI Probe test for the Snowflake pluggable transport. In June 2021, we added support for running the Snowflake pluggable transport inside of the OONI Probe engine. This work is documented through the following ticket: https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/1565

## Documentation on writing OONI Probe tests

To encourage community contributions of new network measurement experiments, we wrote a tutorial which explains how third party developers can write OONI Probe tests. This is tracked through the following issue: https://github.com/ooni/probe/issues/1689

As part of this documentation, we used the new OONI Probe test for the Tor Snowflake pluggable transport as an example. The code of the tutorial is real OONI Probe engine code, which means that it’s going to be tested and run as part of our continuous integration process.

The entry point for the tutorial on writing OONI Probe tests can be found here: https://github.com/ooni/probe-cli/tree/master/internal/tutorial

## Test list updates

In June 2021, we contributed updates to the following Citizen Lab test lists:

* Cambodia: https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/777, https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/782 (including URLs shared by community members)
* Armenia: https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/785 (including URLs shared by CyberHub Armenia)
* Palestine and Israel: https://github.com/citizenlab/test-lists/pull/780

## Research report on internet censorship in Azerbaijan

In collaboration with Azerbaijan Internet Watch, we worked on writing, editing, and finalizing our joint research report that examines internet censorship in Azerbaijan over the last year. Based on our analysis, we produced multiple charts (that communicate key findings), many of which were included in the final report. We coordinated with Azerbaijan Internet Watch on publishing the report in early July 2021.

## New partnership with the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), India

We have been collaborating with India’s Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) for more than a year, having previously collaborated on a joint research publication investigating TLS blocking in India (https://ooni.org/post/2020-tls-blocking-india/).

In early June 2021, we formalized our collaboration by (signing an MoU and) establishing a partnership with the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS). We are now proud to list them on the OONI Partners page (and feature their work): https://ooni.org/partners/cis-india/

## Planning the online OONI Partner Training events

In preparation for the online OONI Partner Training events, we worked on the following activities:

* Analyzed the feedback shared through the pre-training survey (https://forms.gle/YU4TW62LrLKmCC7N9);
* Created (and shared) the final agenda of the 3-day OONI Partner Training (based on feedback shared through the pre-training survey);
* Created (and shared) a Resources document (https://ooni.org/documents/2021-ooni-partner-training-resources/ooni-resources.pdf) that includes OONI-related resources, as well as other resources (on censorship circumvention, digital security, monitoring internet connectivity shutdowns, and other censorship measurement platforms) that participants expressed interest in (as part of the pre-training survey feedback);
* Created a post-training survey (https://forms.gle/n62ktvcfD1u7DgPMA) to collect participant feedback after the training program and learn how we can improve future events;
* Created an online form that participants can fill out to receive OONI certificates for their participation in the OONI Partner Training;
* Created relevant slides, resources, and hands-on exercises for each of the 6 training sessions of the OONI Partner Training;
* Practiced the tech demos that would be provided as part of the OONI Partner Training to ensure that case studies that are relevant to participants are covered;
* Logistical coordination with 112 invited participants (including those from the July 2021 OONI Partner Training).

## Hosted a 3-day online OONI Partner Training

Between 28th-30th June 2021, we organized and hosted a 3-day online OONI Partner Training for our partners from 16 countries in Africa and Latin America (https://ooni.org/partners).  

We also invited some of our partners who work internationally with research and advocacy organizations, as well as circumvention tool projects (Access Now, Internews, Committee to Protect Journalists, Internet Society, Netalitica, Citizen Lab, Psiphon, Tor Project, and the Localization Lab).

Overall, 41 participants from 26 digital rights organizations attended this 3-day OONI Partner Training. To ensure a safe, friendly, and pleasant experience for all during the training, we asked all participants to adhere to OONI’s Code of Conduct (https://github.com/ooni/ooni.org/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) and to follow the Chatham House Rule on Privacy (https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule).

The goal of the OONI Partner Training was to share knowledge and skills on OONI’s censorship measurement tools, dataset, and methodologies to enable their use as part of research and advocacy efforts. We also aimed to collect feedback on how to improve OONI tools to better serve community needs.

The event was facilitated entirely online (over Zoom), and entailed two 1.5 hour sessions per day (over 3 days). We facilitated the following 6 sessions as part of the 3-day OONI Partner Training:

1) Information Controls Around the World

2) Introduction to Internet Censorship

3) Using the OONI Probe Apps

4) Using OONI Run to coordinate censorship testing

5) Using OONI Explorer to find censorship measurement data

6) Interpreting OONI data

Further information about the training sessions is available through our relevant blog post: https://ooni.org/post/ooni-partner-training-2021/

At the end of the 3-day training, we shared a post-training survey (https://forms.gle/n62ktvcfD1u7DgPMA) with all participants to collect their feedback on how to improve future OONI training events.

To support ongoing learning, we shared a Resources document (https://ooni.org/documents/2021-ooni-partner-training-resources/ooni-resources.pdf) with participants that includes OONI-related resources, as well as other resources (on censorship circumvention, digital security, monitoring internet connectivity shutdowns, and other censorship measurement platforms) that participants expressed interest in.

We also shared OONI training slides (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mpoB_ObjMH0EWQhyZRpKWnwl5PUHf-Sa5PKaVclDEH8/edit?usp=sharing) that they can use (and customize) to facilitate OONI workshops for their communities. We will be issuing OONI certificates for participation in the OONI Partner Training 2021.

## Google Summer of Code (GSoC) mentorship

This summer, we have the pleasure to serve as the host organization of 2 Google Summer of Code (GSoC) students: Kathrin Elmenhorst and Shivam Shekhar (https://twitter.com/OpenObservatory/status/1399761448826507264).

Starting from June 2021, Kathrin is working with us on developing OONI Probe network experiments (https://community.torproject.org/gsoc/ooni-probe-experiments/), while Shivam is working with us on developing integration and unit tests for the OONI Probe desktop app (https://community.torproject.org/gsoc/ooni-probe-testing/). Throughout June 2021, we offered mentorship and reviewed the pull requests of GSoC students.

## Community use of OONI data

### Report on media censorship in Venezuela

On 4th June 2021, our Venezuelan partner, VEsinFiltro (https://ooni.org/partners/venezuela-inteligente/), published a research report documenting the blocking of media websites in Venezuela. Their report is available here: https://vesinfiltro.com/noticias/2021-06-04_censura_digital/

As part of their research, they made use of OONI data (https://twitter.com/vesinfiltro/status/1400976570160984068), along with other measurement data.

## Community activities

### RightsCon 2021

We attended RightsCon Online 2021, during which we had the opportunity to speak in the following sessions:

1) Community Lab session: “Who are the perpetrators of internet shutdowns? What we documented in 2020 and beyond” (organized by Access Now’s #KeepItOn campaign), 7th June 2021