In an unexpected move to bolster online privacy and combat digital surveillance, the Tor Project and Tails have officially merged their operations.
The collaboration unites those two leading entities dedicated to protecting users from censorship and mass surveillance, promising enhanced tools and resources for individuals worldwide.
Tor & Tails: A Unified Front Against Digital Threats
The Tor Project, renowned for developing tools that ensure online anonymity, and Tails, a portable operating system that leverages Tor to safeguard users, have joined forces.
This merger aims to streamline collaboration, improve sustainability, reduce operational overhead, and expand training programs. Ultimately, by coming together, both organizations can more effectively counter a broader spectrum of digital threats.
Isabela Fernandes, Executive Director of the Tor Project, says:
“By bringing these two organizations together, weโre not just making things easier for our teams, but ensuring the sustainable development and advancement of these vital tools. Working together allows for faster, more efficient collaboration, enabling the quick integration of new features from one tool to the other. This collaboration strengthens our mission and accelerates our ability to respond to evolving threats.”
But what is the story behind this surprising merge? In late 2023, Tails approached the Tor Project with the idea of merging. Tails had outgrown its existing structure, and rather than expanding independentlyโwhich would have placed additional stress on its teamโthe decision to merge offered a practical solution.
Now, the Tails team can concentrate on their core mission of maintaining and improving Tails OS while benefiting from the Tor Project’s established operational framework.
By uniting, Tor and Tails can focus on what matters most: improving digital security tools for activists, journalists, at-risk individuals, and everyday users. This merger allows both teams to pool their resources, enhancing their ability to serve a global community seeking protection from online threats.
In fact, this merger seems like the perfect symbiosisโfor individuals seeking access to the open web or those facing surveillance, Tor and Tails offer complementary protections. While the Tor Browser anonymizes online activity, Tails secures the entire operating systemโfrom files to browsing sessions.
That’s why journalists working in repressive regions or covering sensitive topics often use both tools to protect their communications and safeguard their sources.
This merger is expected to lead to a more robust approach to overlapping threat models, offering a comprehensive solution for those needing both network and system-level security in high-risk environments.
Furthermore, it opens up broader training and outreach opportunities. Until now, Tor’s educational efforts primarily focused on its browser. With Tails integrated, they can address a wider range of privacy needs and security scenarios.
For more information, refer to the official Tor or Tails announcements.
