Google is rolling out a new set of web-based products designed to support the freedom of speech all across the globe by battling online censorship. On October 20-22, 2013, the tech powerhouse is bringing together “hacktivists,” security experts, entrepreneurs, dissidents and other people related to the problem at a summit “Conflict in a Connected World” in New York.
Organized by Google Ideas in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations and the Gen Next Foundation, the summit explores the ways to raise awareness of how conflict in different parts of the globe is getting transformed by modern digital tools and online power. Google along with experts from different countries and disciplines find solution that help destroy online barriers ranging from filters to block edgy content to targeted attacks designed to take web platforms down. As part of the event, Google has unveiled three new products that could help address the issue—the Digital Attack Map, the Project Shield initiative, and the uProxy browser extension.
As a live data visualization, the Digital Attack Map allows users to monitor DDoS attacks in real time .It displays anonymous traffic data and enables the audience to “explore historic trends and find reports of outages happening on a given day.” The tool has been developed by Google Ideas in collaboration with Arbor Networks.
Google also calls websites dedicated to media, elections and human rights to join the Project Shield initiative. Participants of the program can use the combined power of Google’s DDoS mitigation technologies and Page Speed Service (PSS), which helps to optimize the site and protect its the content. At the moment, the initiative is open only to invited platforms and is looking for trusted testers—the organizations are invited to apply by filling in the form.
The uProxy browser extension—another new product presented in New York—allows safe and protected Internet connection. The tool, which is designed to provide web-browsing free from filtering, surveillance or misdirection, is now available in the beta version only. The product, seeded by Google Ideas, was developed by the University of Washington and Brave New Software.
The new products come as meaningful additions to the lineup of Google’s philanthropic initiatives ranging from helping victims of the human trafficking to building a digital archive of the world’s constitutions.