DRAPAC VPN Bot

EngageMedia, Reporters Without Borders, eQualitie, Digital Defenders Partnership, and SAFEnet provide free VPN access to human rights defenders through the DRAPAC VPN Project.

This bot offers an interface for requesting and accessing VPN support via Telegram and WhatsApp.

Information for Users

Who can use the bot?

Human rights defenders in the Asia-Pacific region who are at risk of digital surveillance and online censorship can use the DRAPAC VPN Bot to request and access VPN support.

You will need to complete a simple needs assessment with one of the DRAPAC VPN partners to request support. Once approved, the bot will provide you with VPN access.

How to use the bot on Telegram?

To get started on Telegram, initiate a chat with @drapacvpn_bot (t.me/drapacvpn_bot) using Telegram mobile, desktop or web app.

The bot will guide you through the steps to request and access VPN support. You may also use the following commands:

  • /start to launch the bot
  • /request to submit a request to a VPN partner
  • /access to get access to a VPN server
  • /language to change preferred language
  • /help to get help and view user guides

For enhanced security, you may clear old chats with the bot automatically by adjusting the auto-delete setting.

How to use the bot on WhatsApp?

The DRAPAC VPN Bot on WhatsApp is currently in private beta and not yet available to all users.

If you have been added as a beta user, initiate a chat with +61342365876 using WhatsApp mobile, desktop or web app. This phone number works with WhatsApp chats only and cannot accept voice or video calls.

In what languages is the bot available? How can I contribute translations?

The DRAPAC VPN Bot on Telegram interface is available in Bengali (বাংলা), English, Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), and Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ).

On WhatsApp, the interface is available in English only.

You can help translate DRAPAC VPN Project into other languages. To contribute, visit gitlab.com/drapac.net/vpn.

How can I get more information about the bot?

For more information, please contact EngageMedia’s human rights technology team at [email protected] (public key).