The Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) is a decentralized project dedicated to increasing the transparency of internet censorship. Since its inception in 2012, OONI has focused on building free, open-source software tools—such as the OONI Probe app—that allow users to test their network connections for signs of interference. These tools are designed to measure network reachability, primarily operating at the lower layers of the OSI model to detect if specific websites or services are being blocked by an internet service provider or government entity. The data collected by these probes is aggregated into an open dataset, which serves as a resource for researchers, human rights defenders, and journalists to investigate and document censorship trends globally. OONI operates through a partnership program, collaborating with over 50 digital rights organizations across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. These partners provide local knowledge and expertise, which is essential for identifying which websites and services are relevant to test in specific regions. The project emphasizes that its methodology is focused on technical network measurements rather than content-level moderation or platform-specific policies. By providing standardized tools and maintaining a public repository of findings, OONI aims to ensure that internet censorship is documented with empirical evidence, supporting advocacy efforts for a free and open internet.
OONI maintains a robust partnership program, collaborating with over 50 digital rights organizations across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East to identify local censorship trends.