The computer network on which humankind can truly rely. Top priority: Bring connectivity to people disconnected from the Internet. Led by @RelaycorpHQ.
London, England
Joined February 2017
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Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
It was incredibly painful to record this episode, but it's finally out: Come in and listen to my journey attempting to test @AwalaApp in the real world. After facing significant funding challenges and setbacks with my initial plans, I made the difficult decision to extend Awala's scope to incorporate a VPN, initially targeting China.
The episode explores how this strategic shift, whilst definitely not ideal, could ultimately help fund crucial improvements to Awala's network whilst providing immediate value to users in censored regions. I also share insights about leveraging AI to accelerate development and the challenges of building technology for unpredictable Internet blackouts.
Links below!
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
#InternetShutdown #Manipur
Internet shutdown was reimposed in 7 districts of Manipur for 2 days. The shutdown was imposed from the evening of November 16th, 2024, to November 18th, 2024.
#LetTheNetWork #KeepItOn #ManipurVoilence #ManipurConflict #internetbanned #InternetBan
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Episode 3 of Inside @AwalaApp is out! Four years, around a dozen freelancers, and more than $750k in non-dilutive funding from the Open Technology Fund, Mozilla Corporation, and others. That's what it took to build the Awala network, despite significant challenges.
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Episode 2 of the Inside Awala podcast came out last night! 🎉 Tune in to learn about the founding and funding of @RelaycorpHQ, the company behind @AwalaApp. I shared how I managed to secure funding to build Awala whilst all I had was a prototype and the documentation for how I'd go about building it. I also discuss my rationale for creating a for-profit company, as opposed to a charity.
This episode should also give you a glimpse into how persistent (narrator: "stubborn") I can be, for better or for worse!
Check out this excerpt, and listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast platform! Links below.
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar has faced a devastating humanitarian + digital rights crisis. The junta's ban on E2EE apps, VPNs + some social media has only made things worse.
More from Wai Phyo Myint, our Asia Pacific Policy Analyst:
restofworld.org/2024/myanmar…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
It took a little longer than expected, but the first episode of Inside Awala is finally out: How North Korea shaped Awala.
In this episode, I share the story of how Awala started as a research project, and why I chose to use North Korea as a reference for the kind of censorship that the technology would have to circumvent in theory. What I'm sharing is the upshot of my research at Oxford, before founding Relaycorp and securing funding to build Awala.
You can listen to it in the video attached, or wherever you get your podcasts (links below).
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
ICYM, I've just started a podcast about the Internet censorship that impairs the human rights of 73% of the world population, and the behind-the-scenes journey to change that with @AwalaNetwork. Intro episode is below. Next week I'll be sharing how North Korea shaped Awala.
Search for "Inside Awala" wherever you get your podcasts, or visit: awala.alitu.com
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Would anyone be a lamb and invite me to lobste.rs? Pretty please? I'd love to join this chat about @AwalaNetwork but the site is invite-only: lobste.rs/s/u55nkw/awala_com…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
2023 was the worst year for internet shutdowns globally, new report says time.com/6978512/internet-sh…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
In Sudan, internet shutdowns amid one of the world's worst humanitarian crises have exacerbated the suffering of millions, cutting them off from the world + vital support.
Share stories of those impacted + join us in urging warring parties to #KeepItOn!
accessnow.org/the-sudan-conf…
ALT Sudan: it's been 365 days of anguish How internet shutdowns deepen this humanitarian crisis. Stories from people disconnected. Note: the names of some contributors have been modified for safety
ALT Story 1 "Daughter of Sudan" Pharmacist Merowe and Kassala, Sudan February 8, 2024 “I lost contact with my father, mother, and sick grandmother, who live in different cities in Sudan. I want to send them their flight bookings to get them out of the warzone, but I’m incapable of that. I don’t know anything about their situation or what happened to them.”
ALT Story 2 Anonymous Doctor Wad Madani, Sudan February 8, 2024 “I've lost contact with my entire family located in areas controlled by the militia. Now, I am taking sedatives just to get some sleep.”
ALT Story 3 Anonymous Student Sudan February 9, 2024 “People across Sudan are suffering from nationwide internet and cellular network shutdowns. No one can send an SMS or make a phone call to check up on their families living far away! It's inhuman for one to live in a climate of anxiety and stress without knowing the fates of their friends or relatives! Many of us outside Sudan don't even know anything about our own mothers since we can't even make a simple phone call!”
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Internet shutdowns have become a blunt instrument that aid state violence and inhibit free speech. Access to internet infrastructure must remain protected, regardless of how user platforms and internet companies transform over time.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/03/ac…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Internet shutdowns tracked by Pulse in 2023:
🌍18 countries
🚫124 shutdown events, 55 nationwide
⚠️> 2,370 days of disruptions.
See full report pulse.internetsociety.org/bl…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Sneak peek of Letro as of this morning. Here you can see how users create accounts, the spam- and phishing-protection features, and how to message contacts.
youtube.com/watch?v=HpeT3dUv…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
I'm so happy I could cry! After 5 years of designing and implementing an awful lot of infrastructure to make apps that work securely with and without the Internet, we're finally building the first end-user app that leverages this infrastructure! And here's a sneak peek.
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
@SFLCin statement on statewide internet shutdown in Punjab.
Read more in the thread. #Punjab #LetTheNetWork #InternetShutdowns @NetShutdowns
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
The Myanmar junta dropped bombs that killed more than 80 people and injured more than a hundred.
They used an #InternetShutdown to conceal their crime. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
accessnow.org/myanmar-intern…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
India’s new Draft Telecommunication Bill is an attack on end-to-end encryption and people’s right to a free and open internet.
The @DoT_India must immediately amend it to ensure people’s fundamental rights are protected. #KeepitOn
accessnow.org/telecommunicat…
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Multiple exam-related Internet disruptions this week:
- Sudan saw third consecutive daily shutdown.
- Next shutdown in Syria expected tomorrow.
- Algeria not implementing full shutdowns this year. However, network-level graphs indicate minor disruption between 0700-1000 UTC.
Awala (fka Relaynet) retweeted
Yesterday I shared with you our Digital Identity sessions at @RightsCon, and today I'm coming back with our #KeepItOn sessions! This is a very long thread with all our sessions on internet shutdowns, so get ready for a long ride!