Tor Project discretely introduces a beta Android VPN, seeking volunteers for testing
The Tor Project, a non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring online privacy and combating censorship, has launched an experimental Android VPN app called Tor VPN. Currently available on the Google Play Store, this new app is built on newer infrastructure, using Arti, the Tor Project's next-gen Rust implementation.
Tor VPN Beta prioritises avoiding censorship and increasing online privacy. It works by routing user traffic through the Tor network, a vast network of thousands of volunteer-operated relays, to obscure IP addresses and locations. This process protects against regional censorship and provides multi-layered encryption. Each Android app receives its own IP address and routing path via the new Rust-based Tor implementation called Arti.
One of the key features of Tor VPN Beta is the use of split tunneling. This allows users to choose which apps are routed through the Tor network, providing them with network-level privacy and the ability to hide their real IP address. Additionally, the app includes built-in bridges like obfs4 and Snowflake, which disguise Tor traffic as other types of data to bypass censorship.
While Tor VPN Beta offers promising features, it is important to note that it is still in its infancy and considered a testing ground. The app is not yet ready for comparison with leading VPN solutions, and it remains experimental. It may still leak information, so it is recommended only for testing and not for highly sensitive communications.
Tor VPN Beta is entirely open source, with its code being public. The main home of the app outside of the Google Play Store is the project's GitHub repository. Tor is actively seeking testers to try it and report bugs.
It is crucial to remember that while Tor VPN Beta offers enhanced privacy and censorship resistance, it is not recommended for use if facing extreme surveillance risks. Users should exercise caution and be aware that the app may not be suitable for high-risk use.
The Tor VPN Beta uses more secure infrastructure than the older C-based code that powers the Tor Browser. This new implementation offers a significant step forward in online privacy and censorship resistance. As the app continues to develop and improve, it has the potential to become a powerful tool for protecting online privacy and combating censorship.
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