We invite you to join the upcoming SplinterCon episode, set to take place in Portugal alongside the Global Gathering — a premier international event for Internet Freedom advocates worldwide. This edition of SplinterCon celebrates the transnational spirit of our host event and will center on the theme of Fragmentation as a Global Experience.
Network fragmentation is no longer a localised issue; it has evolved into a global trend with significant implications. The phenomenon of the Splinternet is multi-faceted, manifesting in various forms — from state-driven shifts towards infrastructural and data sovereignty, to vendor lock-ins at the software and platform levels. Understanding these layers of fragmentation is crucial as we navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.
Find the SplinterCon booth at the Global Gathering and dive into our interactive installations. Participants are welcome to join and engage with any of the activities at any time during the fair, with no strict schedule to adhere.
Blockathon: Participate in a continuous Escape Game – a hackathon where you need to successfully break out of our splinternet simulator. Visit the SplinterZone, register, and help us test a variety of tools over the course of the event. Tasks are available at three difficulty levels. Completing all three earns you a small prize from eQualitie.
Reporting from the Shutdown: eQualitie has collected numerous stories of how internet shutdowns are experienced around the world. If you have faced these situations, come and contribute your own story and add to our exhibition of personal experiences. You can record a voice message or write a first-hand story using laptops or tablets at your disposal (anonymously or not). We want to give a voice to those silenced by shutdowns and learn from real-world encounters with censorship.
Join our seated, one-hour workshops hosted by community members. These sessions introduce the SplinterCon thematic focus and explore how eQualitie’s tools can help break out of restricted networks.
- Day 1: September 27
- Day 2: September 28
- Day 3: September 29
Circle 1
You are Here: Splinternet
Explore the fragmented digital landscapes that parallel and diverge from the monolithic internet. This session sets the stage for SplinterCon, guiding participants through the disjointed realities of the splinternet. We delve into the emergent barriers, alternate pathways, and new modalities of connection that define this digital periphery.
Circle 2
Tools of Resistance: Showcase of Existing Solutions and Open Mic for New Projects
A deep dive into the evolving arsenal of tools designed to navigate and subvert the splinternet. Participants are invited to not only explore established solutions but also to present nascent projects and innovative ideas. This collaborative space fosters the sharing of insights and the co-creation of resilient digital strategies.
Circle 3
Simulating Evil Tech: how to research and fight splinternet in an ethical way?
If you want to fight evil, you need to understand its infrastructures. That is why we have built our legendary Shutdown Simulator and are touring around with it since 2023 organizing blockathons to invent new ways to bypass firewalls. While our Simulator becomes more and more sophisticated, fundamental questions arise: how to organize our blockathons in an ethical way? How to not help the censors do their work better? Come to our booth to meet our Simulator and discuss better ways to mimic the Evil Tech without feeding it.
Circle 1
Resisting the Splinternet through capacity building in El Salvador.
The current government of El Salvador is gradually shifting internet infrastructure towards the Splinternet, where control and censorship are shaping the digital landscape. This session, based on eQualitie’s ongoing capacity-building program in the country, will showcase how decentralized tools, resilient communication strategies, and digital security practices are empowering CSOs and independent media outlets to resist these changes and maintain their independence.
Circle 2
Resilient Networks: Hosting Federated Services in Adversarial Conditions.
A hands-on workshop addressing the deployment and sustainability of federated services in adversarial conditions. Participants will learn to navigate the complexities of maintaining decentralized networks in spaces of surveillance and restriction, drawing on real-world examples and practical techniques.
Circle 3
Testing OuiSync for Shutdown Scenarios.
A session dedicated to testing Ouisync in simulated shutdown conditions. Ouisync is a p2p file sharing tool developed by eQualitie. Participants can test the app, providing critical feedback and insights to enhance its robustness and efficacy in real-world applications.
Circle 1
Echoes of Isolation: Gathering First-Hand Accounts from Fragmented Networks.
Participants are invited to share, analyze, and reflect on personal accounts, weaving a rich tapestry of stories that highlight the human dimension of digital fragmentation.
Circle 2
Bridging the Void: Deploying Satellite Solutions for Isolated Communities.
Explore the potential of satellite technology to bridge the gaps in isolated digital spaces. This session covers the technical, logistical, and regulatory landscapes of satellite deployment, offering a practical guide to implementing these solutions in censored and restricted environments.
Circle 3
The Real ESCAPE GAME: 1 Hour to Break Out of the Splinternet!
An immersive, interactive challenge where participants must collaboratively navigate and escape a simulated Splinternet. This session synthesises the learnings of SplinterCon, testing participants’ problem-solving abilities and resilience under pressure in a gamified format.
