About Us
Our mission
Mission: The Freedom of Speech Technology Initiative (FSTI) is an initiative by the Freedom of Speech Foundation, currently being set up as a non-profit organization dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to promote and protect freedom of speech worldwide. Recognizing that the digital age presents both unprecedented opportunities and challenges for free expression, FTI aims to ensure that every individual, regardless of their location or background, has an unhindered platform to voice their opinions and access information.
Background: Founded in 2023 to act as a community that brings together tech enthusiasts, journalists, and human rights activists, FTI emerged in response to the increasing global challenges of state-sponsored censorship, digital surveillance, and misinformation campaigns. The founders, having witnessed both the liberating potential of technology and its misuse, decided to act as a bridge between the tech community and free speech advocates.
Key Initiatives:Tech for Truth: A project focused on developing open-source tools that combat misinformation and fake news. The initiative collaborates with fact-checkers, journalists, and developers to create software that automatically detects and flags dubious content.
Digital Shields: Provides training and resources on digital security for activists, journalists, and vulnerable populations. This includes educating individuals on encrypted communication, safe browsing, and data protection.
Censorship Circumvention: Develops and promotes tools like VPNs, proxy servers, and alternative DNS services to help users bypass internet restrictions in countries with strict censorship regimes.
Global Voices Platform: An uncensored, decentralized social media platform that offers a safe space for individuals to share stories, opinions, and news from regions where mainstream media coverage is limited or biased.
Policy Advocacy: FTI partners with governments, tech companies, and international organizations to advocate for policies that uphold internet freedom and counter digital authoritarianism.
The Role of Technology
Technology has profoundly impacted freedom of speech over the years, democratizing information dissemination, fostering global conversations, and providing platforms for various voices.
- The Printing Press (15th century): Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the mid-1400s revolutionized information dissemination. It allowed for the mass production of books, significantly reducing their cost and making knowledge more accessible. This shift broke the monopoly that religious and state institutions had on knowledge and information.
- The Telegraph (19th century): The invention of the telegraph enabled instant communication over long distances. This was a dramatic leap from the days when information was conveyed only by physical means (e.g., letters). News could be shared faster and more widely.
- Radio and Television (20th century): These media brought real-time news and entertainment into households globally. They transformed public discourse by offering diverse voices and perspectives on local, national, and international issues.
- The Internet (Late 20th century – Present):
- E-mail and Forums: Early internet tools like email and forums made digital communication and organization easier.
- Blogs: Allowed individuals to self-publish their thoughts, stories, and critiques without the need for traditional gatekeepers like publishers or editors.
- Social Media Platforms: Websites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube democratized content creation and dissemination. They gave a voice to individuals and communities that were previously underrepresented or ignored in mainstream media.
- Wiki Platforms: Sites like Wikipedia facilitated collaborative content creation, drawing from global contributors to present diverse perspectives.
- Smartphones and Mobile Technology: The proliferation of smartphones enabled real-time reporting from virtually anywhere. Citizen journalism emerged as people recorded events and shared them instantly with the world.
- Encrypted Communication Tools: Tools like Signal and WhatsApp allowed activists, journalists, and others to communicate more securely, free from potential surveillance and suppression by oppressive regimes.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Tor: These technologies help users bypass state-imposed internet restrictions, ensuring they can access information and express their thoughts even in countries with strict censorship.
- Open-source Platforms: They've empowered individuals and communities to develop tools and platforms tailored to their specific needs, often emphasizing privacy, decentralization, and resistance to censorship.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Governments and organizations have, at times, leveraged the same technologies to surveil, censor, and suppress dissenting voices. Fake news, and misinformation also pose threats to genuine freedom of speech. Still, the overarching trajectory of technology has been to enable a more open and connected world where diverse voices can be heard.
Partner with us
We're always looking for new partners to collaborate with on projects and events. If your organization shares our values and mission, let's work together to make a positive impact.