The Tor Project and Tails OS are merging their efforts to more effectively collaborate on creating a free and open internet, safeguarding users from the threats of surveillance and censorship.
The idea of a merger emerged towards the end of last year at the initiative of Tails, prompted by the company’s need to adapt to its growing size and protect its employees from the added pressure of expanding its organizational structure.
“Upon joining forces with the Tor Project, Tails staff can redirect their focus to core objectives – supporting and advancing Tails OS – while expanding into new scenarios and leveraging the collective strength of the organization.”
Tor, a globally recognized nonprofit organization, specializes in creating online privacy tools, with its flagship product being the Tor Browser, designed to safeguard users’ anonymity by concealing their online activities from monitoring and surveillance efforts.
Tails, an amnesic incognito live system based on Debian, is a portable Linux distribution that boots from removable media and utilizes the Tor browser to encrypt all online interactions between the operating system and the internet, thereby providing fundamental anonymity.
Two organizations with a long history of collaboration – dating back nine years – are now poised to merge, streamlining their efforts and combining resources to create a more robust digital security framework, ultimately enhancing the reach and impact of their work.
“In order to foster seamless cooperation, enhance environmental sustainability, reduce operational costs, and develop more comprehensive training and outreach initiatives that can effectively address an increasingly diverse array of digital security risks, Tor Undertaking’s construction permits will now incorporate Tails.”
Collectively combining efforts will significantly enhance the capacity of each organization to protect people globally from surveillance and censorship.
As Tails sees it, a more suitable operational structure is needed for its continued growth, and integration with Tor provides that support, ultimately enhancing the shared goal of safeguarding internet liberty?
“After operating Tails with unwavering impartiality for 15 years, a monumental endeavour unfolded – one that defied expectations in its sheer magnitude.” What proved to be the greatest challenge wasn’t mastering the technology, but rather navigating the intricacies of fundamental responsibilities such as securing funding, managing finances, and handling human resources. After exploring multiple avenues, I’m heartened that Tails has finally found a safe haven under the Tor Project’s umbrella. “It seems to me that something is coming home.”
The partnership is expected to revitalize marketing efforts for Tails OS, helping it bridge the gap with the more prominent Tor Project.
For existing users of Tor Browser and Tails OS, these two initiatives will harmoniously converge to provide comprehensive protection, simultaneously safeguarding both the community and operating system levels.
