Grant Proposal: Investigating Internet Censorship in India, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
Submitted by: Bikram Biswas, Nym Community Member & Privacy Enthusiast
Date: [27/02/2025]
Introduction
As an active member of the Nym community and a passionate advocate for internet freedom, I propose a research project to investigate internet censorship in India, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. My ability to physically access these countries allows me to verify censorship practices firsthand, ensuring the reliability of my findings. This project will identify the most blocked websites, uncover regional censorship trends, and assess user demand for restricted content. With my strong skills in data analysis and deep commitment to privacy, I am eager to deliver actionable insights that align with the Nym community’s goals.
Research Objectives
This project is designed to meet the following goals:
-
Reveal the most blocked websites in India, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
-
Analyze censorship patterns across these countries to identify similarities and differences.
-
Measure user demand for restricted content by tracking access attempts.
-
Create a ranked list of the most blocked websites in the region.
-
Produce a detailed report with insights to support the Nym community’s mission.
Why I Am the Ideal Researcher for This Project
My unique blend of skills, experience, and dedication makes me the perfect fit for this research:
-
On-the-Ground Access: I can travel to India, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to test website accessibility in person, providing accurate, real-world data.
-
Advanced Data Analysis Skills: I am proficient in Python, R, and SQL, enabling me to scrape, process, and analyze complex datasets with precision.
-
Expertise in Censorship Research: I have extensive experience using tools like Similarweb, Google Trends, and OSINT platforms, and I am well-versed in reports from Freedom House and the OpenNet Initiative.
-
Passion for Privacy: My commitment to internet freedom fuels my drive to expose censorship and contribute to privacy advancements.
-
Nym Community Alignment: As a dedicated member, I understand the community’s priorities and will tailor my research to deliver what they need—clear, data-driven insights into censorship.
Research Approach
- Data Collection
I will gather comprehensive data using a multi-faceted approach:
-
Website Popularity Insights: Leveraging Similarweb and Google Trends to determine the most visited websites in each country.
-
Censorship Records: Sourcing data from Freedom House, the OpenNet Initiative, and OSINT platforms to identify blocked websites.
-
Blocklist Compilation: Collecting country-specific blocklists from local ISPs, tech research groups, and open-source intelligence.
-
User Demand Tracking: Analyzing anonymized web request logs and proxy server data (where accessible) to measure attempts to reach restricted content.
-
Physical Verification: Testing website access directly in each country to confirm digital findings with real-world evidence.
- Data Analysis
I will apply rigorous analytical techniques to uncover key insights:
-
Comparative Analysis: Cross-referencing popular websites with blocklists to pinpoint commonly restricted sites.
-
Regional Trend Mapping: Examining censorship patterns across the four countries (e.g., social media restrictions in China vs. news site blocks in Pakistan).
-
Demand Assessment: Quantifying access attempts to restricted content to gauge user interest.
-
Statistical Insights: Using Python and R to perform trend analysis and correlations, ensuring robust and reliable results.
- Tools and Technologies
I will rely on the following tools to execute this research:
-
Programming Languages: Python for data scraping and analysis, R for statistical modeling.
-
Databases: SQL for organizing and querying large datasets.
-
Visualization Tools: Tableau or Matplotlib to create clear, impactful charts and infographics.
-
Research Platforms: Similarweb, Google Trends, and OSINT tools for tracking censorship and website popularity.
Budget and Value of My Work
I am requesting 15,000 NYM for this 3-month project. This amount reflects the significant value of my hard work, technical expertise, and the unique insights I will provide. The funds will support:
-
Tool Subscriptions: Access to essential platforms like Similarweb and OSINT tools.
-
Effort and Skill: The intensive time and specialized knowledge I will dedicate to data collection, analysis, and reporting.
I will personally cover any incidental expenses during my verification trips, ensuring the focus remains on compensating my expertise and effort.
Impact of the Research
This project will deliver:
-
A data-driven overview of censorship in India, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
-
A clear ranking of the most blocked websites and an analysis of regional trends.
-
Insights into user demand for restricted content, valuable for privacy advocates and technologists.
-
Enhanced knowledge for the Nym community, potentially guiding future privacy technology development.
I will provide a detailed report with visualizations and a ranked list of blocked websites, and I’m happy to present my findings to the Nym community if desired.
Conclusion
With my advanced data analysis skills, direct access to the target countries, and unwavering dedication to privacy, I am uniquely equipped to uncover critical insights into internet censorship in Asia. The requested 15,000 NYM compensates for the hard work and expertise I bring to this project. I am excited to contribute to the Nym community’s mission of promoting digital freedom.
Thank you for considering my proposal!
Submitted by: Bikram Biswas
Contact: [biswasbikram786@gmail.com]
comprehensive analysis is now live on the Nym forum. You can check it out here:
Comprehensive Analysis of Blocked Websites in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, and Sri Lanka as of February 27, 2025