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Hello HN, author here! I am a developer from Turkey, currently residing abroad for studying CompSci. Throughout the years I watched the Internet censorship in

Hello HN, author here! I am a developer from Turkey, currently residing abroad for studying CompSci. Throughout the years I watched the Internet censorship in my country getting worse and worse each and every day under the Islamist regime of Erdoğan, to the extent that of Wikipedia getting blocked. As they improved their methods of censoring (and worsening the life of their citizens), such as from DNS blocking to blocking VPNs today, I was afraid that there any direct solution can (and will) one day get blocked (for instance, Tor website is currently blocked in Turkey but it works if you manage to install it somehow, whereas you'll need a bridge to connect to the Tor network in Iran if memory serves me well). I came up with the idea (though not sure of its uniqueness) to use channels of everyday communication (such as e-mail, Telegram, (Facebook) Messenger...) to circumvent censorship. Because "even under the most repressive regimes, people do need to communicate with others, both within and outside of the country." I'd love to hear your feedback! Bora P.S. https://github.com/boramalper/cecibot https://github.com/boramalper/cecibot

implying 9y ago
It would be nice if the returned files or PDFs were (GPG) signed with an official cecibot key, for tamper protection.
notamy 9y ago
Very minor nitpick: Would be nice if the github link was also on the site. I like the idea a lot though! Very interesting.
Fnoord 9y ago
Are you afraid for repercussions for writing the software and/or your statement(s) about the regime?
- boramalper 9y ago
  On the one hand, yes I am afraid, but on the other, I am sick & tired of silence (which quickly leads into learned helplessness). I think it's better to speak up and to face the consequences than to see (first) your country (and then the world) ruined. I am currently studying abroad in UK and even though they cannot directly harm me (though they can hurt me through my family and beloved ones living back home). I kept thinking about the idea of settling in a nicer country, but then, I realise that people (in the West) have paid the price of their freedom (if not their wealth), and then idea of "(e|im)migrating" doesn't feel like a solution any more but postponement of the problem, whose responsibility is on my (our) shoulders and no one else's. More than what you asked for I assume, sorry. =)
  - Fnoord 9y ago
    Brave of you, good luck with your efforts.

implying 9y ago

It would be nice if the returned files or PDFs were (GPG) signed with an official cecibot key, for tamper protection.

notamy 9y ago

Very minor nitpick: Would be nice if the github link was also on the site. I like the idea a lot though! Very interesting.

Fnoord 9y ago

Are you afraid for repercussions for writing the software and/or your statement(s) about the regime?

boramalper 9y ago
On the one hand, yes I am afraid, but on the other, I am sick & tired of silence (which quickly leads into learned helplessness). I think it's better to speak up and to face the consequences than to see (first) your country (and then the world) ruined. I am currently studying abroad in UK and even though they cannot directly harm me (though they can hurt me through my family and beloved ones living back home). I kept thinking about the idea of settling in a nicer country, but then, I realise that people (in the West) have paid the price of their freedom (if not their wealth), and then idea of "(e|im)migrating" doesn't feel like a solution any more but postponement of the problem, whose responsibility is on my (our) shoulders and no one else's. More than what you asked for I assume, sorry. =)
- Fnoord 9y ago
  Brave of you, good luck with your efforts.