CS 389: Internet Censorship
Stanford CS 389, Fall 2025
π Course Information
CS389 is an advanced networking course that covers foundational work and current topics of Internet censorship. The course explores various forms of Internet censorship, as well as the the techniques to measure and circumvent it. The course consists of reading and discussing published research papers, presenting recent anti-censorship research, and completing an original research project.
This course is based on in-person discussion of research. On time, in-person attendance and participation is required.
Office Hours: Tuesday 4:00β5:00 PM, CoDa W338. Or, by appointment.
Students should first take Stanford CS 144, CS 155, EE 284, or equivalent.
For a refresher, consider Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (Kurose & Ross) or Computer Networks: A Systems Approach (Peterson & Davie).
ποΈ Topics and Schedule
The tentative schedule and required readings for the class are below:
π© Course Format & Grading
- π Readings & Discussion (30%): Read 1β2 papers per class. Students should come prepared to actively discuss assigned papers and to make substantive intellectual contributions. This means that you need to thoroughly read each paper ahead of time. Submit ~400 word summary and one discussion question per paper by 9:00 AM on the day of class via Gradescope. No late days for paper reactions; you may skip two paper summaries and two lectures without penalty.
- π§βπ« Topic Presentation (15%): Each student in the class will present and lead discussion on one of research papers selected for the day's class. At the start of the quarter, students will have the opportunity to sign up for the topic/date that they want to present their paper. Student presentations are expected to be 15 minutes and allow for 20 minutes of questions and discussions. Be prepared to answer questions about the paper you present.
-
π¬ Course Project (55%):
Students will complete a quarter-long original research project in small groups (1β3
students) on a topic of their own choosing. Groups present during the last two class
sessions and submit a 6β10 page report similar in style and rigor to the papers we
read.
- Project Proposal (5%). Meet with course staff during Week 3 and submit a one-page proposal including a complete Related Work section. Due 10/10.
- Mid-Quarter Progress Report (5%). A 1β2 page update describing accomplished work, remaining tasks, encountered obstacles, and any preliminary data/insights. Must include a complete Methodology section. Due 11/14.
- Class Presentation (10%). A 20-minute presentation in Week 11 followed by Q&A. Focus on problem motivation, approach, data/methods, preliminary or final results, and open questions.
- Final Paper (35%). A 6β10 page paper (conference style) articulating motivation, threat model (if applicable), methodology, results, limitations, ethics considerations, and related work. Due 12/5.
π¬ Research Project
The cornerstone of the seminar is a quarter-long research project. The project follows a structured timeline with several key deliverables, from proposal to final report.
Project Proposal
Due 10/10
Mid-Quarter Progress Report
Due 11/14
Class Presentation
Week 11
Final Paper
Due 12/5
π§° Key Resources & Tools
Links to essential resources, including the primary bibliography for readings, major measurement platforms, and organizations central to the field of internet freedom.
CensorBib
The primary, curated bibliography for research papers on internet censorship.
Net4People BBS
The Net4People BBS is a place for anti-censorship developers and researchers to discuss and share information, techniques, and research.
FOCI Community
Free and Open Communications on the Internet is a workshop that brings together researchers, implementers, and activists working in the area of Internet freedom.
OONI
Open Observatory of Network Interference, a global community measuring internet censorship.
Refraction Networking
Refraction Networking is a censorship circumvention technique that leverages network infrastructure to provide access to censored content.
GFW Report
GFW Report is a long-term censorship monitoring platform, aiming at advancing the understanding and spreading the awareness of Internet censorship.
π Academic Accommodations
Stanford is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for disabled students. If you experience disability, please register with the Office of Accessible Education (OAE). Professional staff will evaluate your needs, support appropriate and reasonable accommodations, and prepare an Academic Accommodation Letter for faculty. To get started, or to re-initiate services, please visit oae.stanford.edu.
If you already have an Academic Accommodation Letter, please share your letter with us at the earliest opportunity so we may partner with you and OAE to identify any barriers to access and inclusion.
Students who are immunocompromised should register with the OAE as soon as possible. Student athletes who anticipate challenges in participating or submitting assignments on time should speak to the instructor or a TA as soon as possible about available alternatives or allowances.
βοΈ Ethics & Academic Integrity
The study of internet censorship inherently involves navigating a complex ethical landscape. This course will proactively address these considerations, integrating ethical discussions into paper analyses and requiring an explicit ethics section in all research projects. Key dimensions include minimizing harm, protecting data privacy, ensuring researcher safety, considering the dual-use nature of technologies, and responsibly disclosing any discovered vulnerabilities.
All submitted paper reviews for this course must be directly written by the submitting student(s). Generative AI tools are prohibited for paper reviews. However, generative AI tools are encouraged for coding assignments.
Attendance on 12/2 and 12/4 is required for all students. This class has no final exam.