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New App Lets World Bypass Government Censorship

By George Khoury, Esq. | Last updated on

Online privacy is a big deal. And in several countries across the globe, access to the internet is highly restricted by the government.

But Google, not satisfied with leading online industries, now seems to be disrupting government online censorship. One of the newest features for the Android operating system, dubbed Pie, is an app called Intra that will be integrated into the software. Intra is basically end-to-end encryption for DNS requests designed to get around and bypass government censorship such as blocking of certain websites.

Getting Technical

In addition to government censorship, this technology is good for safeguarding personal web surfing from any and all third parties, nefarious or not. Have you ever been redirected away from a legit website without clicking or doing anything to cause it? Hackers can and do manipulate web traffic. In short, the app, and services like it, work by encrypting the url a user types in over the internet, making it more difficult for a third party to see and then manipulate.

Using what's known as DoH, or DNS over HTTPS, can greatly reduce the risk of being exposed to a malicious attack while simply surfing the internet. This method basically sends the encrypted url (website name) to a trusted, secure Domain Name Server that returns the website's IP address to your computer.

Notably, the Infra app, and Android Pie feature, will allow users to choose from a couple different DNSs, as well as enter in one of their own choosing.

Old Phones Includes

For individuals with older Android smartphones, the Pie exclusive feature won't leave you out in the cold because Intra is downloadable as an app (Android only) for older models that won't be able to run the latest Android OS. The standalone app being compatible with older devices is one of the most critical features for it, particularly as the countries that need this most likely will not have the same level of access to devices capable of running the latest operating system.

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