https://www.opentech.fund/results/supported-projects/preparing-tor-browser-android-mainstream-adoption/ I was looking around to see what else USAGM(us agency for global media) funds besides the obv RFE/RFA/VOA. So I looked on USAGM website to see what else they fund, they also fund Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Middle East Broadcasting Network and Open Technology Fund. I never heard of the last few, so I check Tech Fund. I see stuff about supplying internet to areas (I presume giving technology to armed insurgents or something) and other stuff. I look to see who These People are funding, and now I see they fund a shit load of tech projects, donating thousands upon thousands of dollars to each project. One of them is a Tor Browser. This is kinda weird because Tor Browsers market themselves as being more subtle with your info and stuff, yet they are being actively funded by the US Government’s Media Branch. What do you guys think?

  • Tor is/was certainly funded by the Amerikan military. They released it to the public because they needed others to provide nodes and use it for traffic (since they wanted to obscure their own online investigating). They surely have many Tor nodes, but since Tor uses a three-hop system, you’re not very likely to be assigned these nodes for all three hops. My understanding is that agencies like the NSA hate what Tor has become (since it makes their “job” more difficult), and it’s likely still the safest option available for anonymous traffic.

    It’s also important to ensure that you’re always using HTTPS; Tor traffic is encrypted, but if the final node is compromised, it can read the unencrypted content of each HTTP packet, so even though the packet metadata doesn’t reveal the source, it’s quite likely that the sender’s identity could be uncovered by the content itself.

    Of course, you also need to be careful with cookies and other information that could be used to analyze your traffic, even if you’re using Tor; you may also need to mask that you’re using Tor (e.g. through a bridge) to reduce the amount of metadata available to your ISP, especially if you’re actually suspected of anti-government activity. There’s a lot to consider if you want to be completely safe, and I’m far from an expert.

  • Muad'DibberM
    link
    fedilink
    122 years ago

    OTF used to be a radio free asia program until they split it off in like 2014. They try to fund US open source projects to steer them how they want, and hopefully use them against the ebil commies.

    The rabbit hole goes pretty deep with Tor too, it was and possibly is still a DoD project. Not saying it or any of these projects aren’t useful, but its something to keep an eye on.