In a significant step forward for privacy advocates and users who seek to maintain digital anonymity, the Tor Project and Tails OS have officially announced their merger. The integration of these two powerful privacy-centric tools promises to create a unified effort in combating surveillance and censorship, while also streamlining operations for better efficiency and scalability.

This article takes an in-depth look at the implications of this merger, the history of both projects and the potential benefits that it will bring to their users. I’ll also explore the challenges facing the combined entity as they work to secure the digital rights of users worldwide.

But first of all, YES, Talis is legal.

Background: A Shared Vision of Digital Privacy

For years, both the Tor Project and Tails OS have stood as stalwarts in the fight for privacy and digital freedom. Though they operated separately, their missions were intricately linked, with a shared vision of enabling people to navigate the internet without fear of surveillance or oppression.

The Tor Project, founded in the early 2000s, is an open-source initiative aimed at providing tools for secure and anonymous internet use. At its core, the Tor network relies on volunteer-operated servers, known as nodes, which route internet traffic in such a way that the identities of users remain hidden. The Tor Browser, a major product of the Tor Project, allows users to access both the open internet and hidden services with heightened anonymity.

Tails OS (The Amnesic Incognito Live System), launched in 2009, is a privacy-focused Linux-based operating system. It is designed to run from a USB stick, DVD, or SD card, allowing users to utilize any computer safely without leaving any trace. Tails come pre-installed with tools such as the Tor Browser, encrypted messaging apps, and secure storage, making it the go-to operating system for journalists, whistleblowers, and individuals in oppressive regimes.

The Merger: What It Means for Privacy Tools

In September 2024, the Tor Project and Tails OS officially announced their merger, to create a more unified approach to privacy and security tools. The announcement, detailed in blog posts from the Tor Project and Bleeping Computer, revealed the motivations behind this collaboration and what it hopes to achieve in the coming years.

This merger is expected to have several benefits for the teams and the users of both projects:

1. Enhanced Operational Efficiency: By merging, the Tails team can focus on maintaining and improving their software, while the Tor Project takes over operational support, such as fundraising, infrastructure, and administrative responsibilities. This consolidation will streamline decision-making and ensure both teams have more time for innovation.
2. Better Resource Allocation: Privacy projects often struggle with limited funding and resources. Combining efforts helps pool resources more effectively, minimizing duplication of work and allowing for more sustainable development and support. Fundraising, in particular, will benefit from the combined brand recognition of both projects.
3. Integrated Development: As two projects that have always had overlapping user bases and dependencies (with Tails OS relying heavily on Tor for its internet connectivity), this merger will lead to a deeper integration of their tools. This will result in a more seamless experience for end-users, with fewer compatibility issues and a more cohesive user interface.
4. A Stronger Voice in Advocacy: By joining forces, the Tor Project and Tails can present a more unified front when advocating for privacy rights. Together, they can increase their outreach efforts, expanding their influence on policymakers, corporations, and civil society organizations.

Implications for Users: More Secure and Unified Privacy Tools

For the users of both Tor and Tails, this merger means a more unified and streamlined experience, with improvements in security and usability likely to come more quickly. The integration of these two privacy tools will be beneficial for their overlapping user bases, including:

• Journalists and Activists: Both Tor and Tails are essential tools for people operating in hostile environments or under oppressive regimes. The merger promises to make these tools even more reliable, enhancing the security of those who risk their safety to report on the truth or to fight for human rights.
• Whistleblowers: The combination of Tails’ portable OS and Tor’s anonymous internet routing has always been powerful for whistleblowers looking to reveal sensitive information without exposing themselves. A more seamless experience could mean quicker, more effective ways to securely communicate.
• Everyday Privacy Seekers: With rising awareness of data tracking and government surveillance, more individuals are turning to tools like Tor and Tails. The merger means the creation of a stronger ecosystem for privacy-conscious internet users, who want an easy-to-use solution to protect their personal information.

Challenges Ahead: Navigating the Roadblocks of Merging Projects

While the merger brings promise, it is not without challenges. Merging two independent open-source projects involves navigating a range of practical and cultural challenges. Let’s explore some of the obstacles that may arise:

1. Technical Integration: Although Tails OS already integrates Tor, making these systems work together in an even more seamless way will require considerable development effort. The teams will need to ensure that updates to the Tor network do not inadvertently cause issues in Tails, and vice versa.
2. Retaining the Community: Both the Tor Project and Tails OS have vibrant communities of contributors and users. Maintaining community involvement and ensuring that volunteer contributors do not feel alienated will be critical for the continued success of both projects. Communication and transparency during the merging process will be key.
3. Balancing Independence and Unity: While combining resources and aligning goals makes sense, there will be areas where maintaining some independence is beneficial. Striking a balance between integration and autonomy will be important for optimizing outcomes, especially when it comes to prioritizing features or development milestones.
4. Financial Sustainability: The merger is partly intended to make fundraising easier, but ensuring sufficient resources will continue to be a challenge. Both projects rely on donations, grants, and support from organizations that value privacy, which means continued outreach and community engagement will be necessary.

What the Future Holds for Tor and Tails

The merger sets the stage for exciting developments for privacy enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Some areas to watch as the Tor Project and Tails move forward include:

• New Feature Development: With more efficient resource allocation, both projects could potentially accelerate their feature development cycles. This could mean more frequent updates, improved usability, and new tools for users to maintain their privacy in an increasingly monitored world.
• Educational Outreach and Advocacy: The combined strength of the Tor Project and Tails will allow them to expand their advocacy and educational outreach efforts. The new entity can become a more powerful voice in international conversations about digital rights, working with NGOs, governments, and other organizations to advocate for privacy rights.
• A Broader Set of Privacy Tools: The merger could also lead to the development of new privacy tools that build on the strengths of both Tor and Tails. This might include integrated communication tools or more robust methods for bypassing censorship in restricted regions.

Conclusion: A United Front for Privacy and Digital Freedom

The merger of the Tor Project and Tails OS marks an important milestone in the ongoing fight for digital privacy and freedom. By joining forces, these two projects are not only pooling their resources but also making a statement: the fight for privacy is stronger when approached collectively.

Users of Tor and Tails can look forward to a more cohesive experience, more powerful tools, and the possibility of new developments that improve their ability to communicate and browse anonymously. In a world where privacy is increasingly under threat, the combination of these two iconic projects is a welcome development for everyone who values their digital rights.

While challenges lie ahead, the shared mission of the Tor Project and Tails to safeguard user privacy ensures that they will continue to play a vital role in the digital landscape. Together, they stand as a beacon for free expression, human rights, and the belief that privacy is a fundamental right—not a privilege.

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I present here a step-by-step guide to installing Tails:

Step 1: Prepare a USB Stick

Get a USB stick with at least 8GB of capacity.

Ensure you have a second device or a way to reference instructions while installing.

Step 2: Download Tails

Visit the official Tails website.

Click on “Download Tails” to download the latest ISO image file.

Step 3: Verify the Download

Verify the download to ensure the file is legitimate and has not been tampered with. You can use the provided checksums or verification tools on their website.

Step 4: Install Tails to USB

Linux/Windows Users: Download and install Etcher.

Open Etcher, select the downloaded Tails ISO and choose your USB stick.

Click “Flash” to write Tails onto the USB stick.

macOS Users: Use the macOS built-in Disk Utility or a third-party tool like Etcher to flash the USB.

Step 5: Boot Tails

Insert the Tails USB stick into your computer.

Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/boot menu:

This can usually be done by pressing a key like F2, F10, F12, or Esc during startup.

Select the USB stick as the boot device.

Step 6: Set Up and Start Tails

Once Tails loads, follow the on-screen setup wizard.

You may need to adjust settings like Persistent Storage if you plan to save data between sessions.

Step 7: Use Tails Securely

Use the included Tor Browser for secure browsing.

Tails does not save any data by default, ensuring privacy.

Tips for Safe Usage:

Always shut down Tails properly to clear all data from memory.

Update Tails regularly for the latest security features.

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Author: Alessandro Civati.

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