The Tor Project has officially merged operations with Tails, a security-focused operating system designed to protect users’ privacy. Both projects have worked closely together for nearly a decade and now aim to combine their resources to better protect high-risk users, such as journalists and activists, from surveillance and censorship. This merger follows discussions that began in late 2023, after Tails recognized it had outgrown its existing structure and needed additional operational support.
While the technical aspects of the merger were straightforward, Tails faced challenges related to HR, finances, and fundraising. Instead of expanding its operational capacity on its own, the merger with the larger, more established Tor Project offered a solution to these challenges. This collaboration will allow Tails to focus on its core mission—maintaining and improving its OS—while benefiting from the Tor Project’s operational infrastructure.
The integration of Tails into the Tor Project will also lead to improvements in network and system security. Both Tor’s anonymity network and Tails OS offer complementary protections, and their merger will strengthen the overall security framework for users. Additionally, Tor will be able to integrate Tails into its educational efforts, addressing a wider range of privacy and security needs across different use cases.
One of the main benefits of this merger is the increased visibility it will bring to Tails. Many users familiar with the Tor network may not have been aware of Tails OS, and the merger will introduce this powerful privacy tool to more people, particularly those working in hostile environments. By joining forces, both projects will be better positioned to protect users’ privacy and anonymity on a larger scale.
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