Tella Connections – Overview
In addition to keeping their data protected within the app, users can use Connections to securely share data with others. Depending on the type of connection, some possible use cases include:
- Volunteers or activists on the ground submitting forms directly to their organization from Tella.
- A group of people connecting to a drive, cloud, or shared space to send files.
- A group of journalists sharing encrypted data with each other during an internet shutdown.
- An individual backing up selected files to their personal computer.
There are two main types of connections:
- Nearby Sharing: Share encrypted files with another Tella device in physical proximity. This feature does not require an internet connection and is typically used during internet shutdowns.
- Upload to a server: Connect to a server and upload files over the internet so that others can access them. This feature is commonly used by organizations running data collection processes.
Connections can be configured on Settings → Connections. The Tella home screen will display a shortcut to all connected servers. Nearby Sharing is turned on by default, but it can be disabled as well.
Nearby Sharing
Nearby Sharing can be used to transfer files directly between Tella vaults. It is available on Tella Android, Tella iOS, and Tella Desktop. Transfers are encrypted, use the Wi-Fi protocol, and work with or without an internet connection, even on insecure or monitored networks.
We designed this connection type with a strong focus on security, especially for use in repressive environments, and it has been audited by an independent security firm.
Server Connections
Server Connections are useful for organizations leading data collection processes. Organizations can choose, configure, and manage a server to centralize data collected by volunteers or activists in the field. These individuals gather information using Tella on their devices and then send it to their organization.
Previous Tella deployments, where on-the-ground users collected data and sent it to an organization's server, have ranged from 1 to 2,000 users. You can read user stories here, or contact us for assistance in finding the best way to use Tella for your organization.
Currently, Tella can connect to the following types of servers:
Feature availability by platform:
| Connection | Android | iOS | Android FOSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uwazi | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Tella Web | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Open Data Kit (ODK) | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Google Drive | ✔️ | ✔️ | Soon |
| Nextcloud | ✔️ | ✔️ | Soon |
| Dropbox | ✔️ | ✔️ | Soon |
Some individuals use commercial clouds (Google Drive, Dropbox, Nextcloud) as a backup system for their Tella data. However, we advise using this feature with caution:
- Automatic backups to any server are not currently available. They need to be made manually as submissions to each of the servers.
- Files on the server will be accessible to anyone with server access.
Read more about backups in Tella
All server connections are offline first, with built-in mechanisms to pause and resume uploads when the internet is unreliable. Learn more about offline data collection here.
Even though data is transferred to the server securely (SSL), files stored on the server are not encrypted. Anyone with access to the server can view them.
The Share feature is also available for sharing files directly with other apps installed on the device.