Our visualization shows examples of how Internet packets wander around the Internet cables while we use some of the most popular Internet services. Each country your data packets visit offers an opportunity for snooping. Please choose a service:
The cable routes on the map are taken from cablemap.info. We determined how packets are traveling through the Internet by using the program Traceroute. It is using one of the basic Internet Protocols (IP): Asking every IP-router (think of it as a switchboard), which is forwarding a packet, about its identity. Not every router is answering to Traceroute and which cable is used, we don't know. Depending if it's day or night, the packets can take pretty different routes.
In the end, the connections we are displaying in this app (in slow motion) are the most telling examples we have choosen from many different real requests to the particular service. Note: The locations that were determined on the basis of the router IP-Addresses do not necessarily correspond with the actual physical locations but rather – where applicable - with the headquarters of their operators.
More information on Prism & Tempora can be found here: Guardian, EFF.
This App can be embedded (CC BY) and is also available in German and French.