Ceno (web browser)
| Developer(s) | eQualitie |
|---|---|
| Engine | GeckoView |
| Operating system | Android |
| Platform | Mobile |
| Type | Web browser |
| License | MIT License / GPL |
| Website | ceno |
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Ceno (short for Censorship.No!) is a free and open-source mobile web browser developed by the Canadian non-profit organization eQualitie. It is specifically designed to operate in environments characterized by heavy internet censorship, surveillance, or frequent connectivity shutdowns.
Unlike traditional browsers that rely on a direct connection to a central server, Ceno utilizes a decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) network to retrieve, cache, and share web content among users.
History
Ceno was conceived as a response to the increasing prevalence of "national intranets" and internet blackouts used by governments to control the flow of information. An early proof-of-concept version was originally built using the Freenet platform.
On May 10, 2022, eQualitie officially launched the modern version of Ceno for Android. The launch was timed to support users in conflict zones and regions experiencing severe digital restrictions, specifically mentioning its utility during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and internet shutdowns in Iran and Myanmar.[1]
Technology
Ceno is built on Mozilla's GeckoView engine and integrates the Ouinet library, which provides the decentralized networking layer.
P2P Networking
The core of Ceno’s functionality is the Ouinet library, which allows the browser to function similarly to a BitTorrent client for web pages. When a user requests a website:
- Injection: If the site is accessible to the network, an "injector" node retrieves the content and signs it for security.
- Caching: Once retrieved, the content is cached across the devices of other Ceno users (peers).
- Distribution: Other users in the same censored region can then pull that content directly from local peers via the P2P network, bypassing the need to cross international gateways that may be blocked.
Browsing Modes
Ceno offers two distinct modes of operation:
- Public Mode: Optimized for resilience. Websites visited in this mode are cached and shared across the P2P network. This allows other users to access the content even if the original site is blocked.
- Personal Mode: Prioritizes privacy. It does not share visited content with the P2P network, making it suitable for sensitive tasks like logging into private accounts or online banking.
Features
- Censorship Circumvention: Designed to work even when VPNs and Tor are blocked by deep packet inspection (DPI).
- Offline Access: Content previously cached by the network can be accessed without a live international internet connection, provided there is a local area network (LAN) or mesh connectivity.
- Reduced Data Costs: By fetching content from local peers rather than distant servers, it can reduce the bandwidth required for international data transit.
See also
References
This article "Ceno (web browser)" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Ceno (web browser). Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
