The Internet Connects Us. But... Who Controls the Connection?
How the physical infrastructure of the Internet enables surveillance, and what we can build to resist it?
Most of us live our entire lives on the Internet… but almost none of us know how it really works.
Who carries our data? Who decides what gets blocked? And why, in 2025, does the Internet feel more controlled than ever?
Over the last few years, authorities and certain companies have gained unprecedented power over the “physical” Internet i.e. the wires, towers, cables, routers, SIM cards, and devices that all our online life depends on. And once control sits at the physical layer, everything above it becomes easier to surveil, restrict, or shut down.
This conversation is about that uncomfortable truth...
and what we can still do about it.
In this fireside chat edition of Cyber Swaraj, we’re sitting down with a devs and tinkerers who’ve been deep in this world.
The format’s simple: honest conversation, real questions, and a few “wait, WHAT?” moments.
We'll be exploring:
How data actually moves across the world
Think: cables, towers, and the hidden plumbing behind every message you send.Why the physical layer is the easiest place to censor people
And how control at this layer shapes everything you see (and don’t see) online.Mobile network surveillance in India
How SIM cards, IMEIs, telcos, and new regulations make tracking easier than ever.Why Internet service is so centralized
And how that centralization creates choke points for censorship.What alternatives exist today
Mesh networks, peer-to-peer routing, Yggdrasil, and how Nostr works without relying on Big Tech infrastructure.How your phone itself becomes a surveillance device
A brief look at de-Googled phones, GrapheneOS, and why these tools matter.Privacy vs security
How these ideas get twisted, and how to think about them more clearly.
You won’t need to be a privacy expert to follow, we’ll walk through ideas clearly, share stories, and leave space for Q&A and follow-ups.
If you care about privacy, sovereignty, or just want to understand what’s really running under the hood, then join us for this conversation.
What is the 'Cyber Swaraj' event series about
A gathering for anyone passionate about digital privacy, open-source technologies, and reclaiming control of our digital lives. We're bringing together developers, privacy advocates, enthusiasts and curious minds to explore tools that protect digital freedom.
Check out the highlights of the last one.
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