Capabilities Analysis

Breaking barriers: The role of circumvention tools in overcoming digital censorship

2026-02-06

Learn how circumvention tools like the Psiphon Conduit (Psiphon) help users bypass state-imposed internet restrictions.

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The Tor browser, Psiphon Conduit app and VPNs are some of the tools used to bypass internet restrictions. [Jaque Silva/NurPhoto via AFP]
The Tor browser, Psiphon Conduit app and VPNs are some of the tools used to bypass internet restrictions. [Jaque Silva/NurPhoto via AFP]

In an increasingly interconnected world, access to information stands as a cornerstone of freedom and liberty.

Yet, for millions living in nations such as Iran, stringent internet censorship severely restricts their ability to communicate, stay informed and exercise their digital rights.

Amid this ongoing challenge, tools such as the Psiphon have proven highly effective at circumventing government-imposed restrictions on internet access.

These tools empower millions of individuals by connecting them to an unrestricted internet, enabling free information exchange and unhindered communication.

Platforms like Psiphon play a crucial role in empowering individuals, facilitating the free flow of information and ensuring that voices of dissent are not silenced.

The technology of freedom

At its core, Psiphon is a free, open-source censorship circumvention tool that utilizes a combination of secure communication and obfuscation technologies.

It operates by establishing an encrypted tunnel between a user's device and its global server network, ensuring secure and private communication.

This process disguises the user's internet traffic, making it appear as permissible data, thereby effectively bypassing restrictions.

Unlike standard virtual private networks (VPNs), which are more easily detected and blocked, Psiphon is specifically designed to be resilient against censorship.

Its client application automatically detects new access points to maximize the chances of bypassing even the most sophisticated filtering systems.

This adaptability has been key to its effectiveness in environments with advanced censorship technologies.

Other popular circumvention tools include Lantern, the Tor browser and Shadowsocks, each employing distinct strategies to navigate firewalls.

Some users rely on simpler methods, such as alternative Domain Name System (DNS) servers or cached versions of websites, to bypass limited restrictions.

However, in countries with stricter controls, more advanced tools are essential for ensuring unrestricted internet access.

A lifeline during times of protest

The importance of these tools becomes particularly evident during periods of social and political unrest.

Iran, a country with a long history of extensive internet censorship, platforms like Psiphon have been instrumental for citizens seeking to share information and organize.

After weeks of an unprecedented internet shutdown imposed by the Iranian regime, access is slowly being restored.

As people reconnect, millions are turning to Psiphon, with daily unique users already exceeding 4 million.

Psiphon offers a secure and reliable way to access uncensored internet in Iran, highlighting the importance of anti-censorship tools worldwide.

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