The Tor Project and Tails have decided to merge their operations to enhance user protection against global digital surveillance and censorship.
The Tor Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing tools for online privacy and anonymity, and Tails, a portable operating system that uses Tor to protect users from digital surveillance, have joined forces and merged their operations. This merger aims to facilitate collaboration, improve the sustainability of both projects, reduce operational costs, and expand training and outreach programs in the face of increasing digital threats.
Pooling resources to better serve the global community
In the face of the threat of mass surveillance and censorship, both Tor and Tails provide essential tools for people worldwide to stay safe online. By merging, both organizations can focus their resources on what matters most: ensuring that activists, journalists, at-risk users, and ordinary individuals have access to improved digital security tools.
In 2023, Tails approached the Tor Project with the idea of merging their operations. The growing complexity of Tails required more resources, and rather than expanding their capabilities on their own, which would put more pressure on their team, merging with the Tor Project offered a natural solution. This union will allow Tails to focus on its core mission of maintaining and enhancing the operating system, while benefiting from the broader and consolidated organizational structure of the Tor Project.
This collaboration is not new, as both organizations have a long history of working together. From the announcement of the first version of Tails on a Tor mailing list 15 years ago, to the recent sub-funding grant from Tor to Tails, the two have closely collaborated to strengthen their tools and impact.
Benefits of the merger for users and new opportunities
Tor and Tails offer complementary protections for those seeking to access the open web or facing surveillance. While Tor Browser focuses on anonymizing online activity, Tails secures the entire operating system, including files and browsing sessions. For journalists in repressive regions or covering sensitive topics, both tools are an essential tandem for protecting their communications and safeguarding their sources.
The merger of both organizations will not only enable a stronger response to these threat models, but also open up new opportunities for training and outreach. Thus far, Tor’s educational efforts have primarily focused on their browser. With Tails integrated into these programs, a wider range of privacy needs and security scenarios can be addressed.
Furthermore, this merger will increase Tails’ visibility. Many users familiar with the Tor Project are still unaware of the capabilities of the Tails operating system. By integrating under the Tor Project umbrella, more individuals and groups in need of anonymity in hostile environments can discover and utilize this powerful tool.
More sustainable and efficient development
The union between both organizations will not only ease the work of the teams but also ensure the sustainable development and advancement of these vital tools. According to Isabela Fernandes, executive director of the Tor Project, the collaboration will allow for quicker integration of new features between the two tools, thus strengthening their mission and accelerating responsiveness to emerging threats.
On the other hand, intrigeri, leader of the Tails team, expressed relief at the change. “After 15 years as an independent project, the biggest challenge has not been the technology, but managing critical tasks like funding, finances, and human resources. For Tails to now be part of the Tor Project feels like coming home,” he stated.
Next steps and how to support
The merger also includes the integration of donation infrastructures from both projects. Users who wish to specifically support Tails activities can continue to do so through the Tails donation page until further notice.
This merger represents a significant step in strengthening the fight for freedom on the Internet, and both organizations invite the global community to support their mission. As threats to privacy and online anonymity continue to grow, the collaboration between the Tor Project and Tails is a step forward in creating a safer and more accessible digital space for all.