The Tor Project and Tails have merged operations to enhance protection for users against global surveillance and censorship.
The Tor Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing tools for online privacy and anonymity, and Tails, a portable operating system that uses Tor to protect users from digital surveillance, have joined forces and merged their operations. This collaboration aims to facilitate easier cooperation, improve the sustainability of both projects, reduce operational costs, and expand training and outreach programs to counter growing digital threats.
Pooling resources to better serve a global community
In response to the increasing threat of mass surveillance and censorship, both Tor and Tails offer essential tools that help people around the world stay safe online. By merging, these two privacy advocates will combine their resources to focus on what matters most: ensuring that activists, journalists, at-risk users, and everyday individuals have access to improved digital security tools.
In late 2023, Tails approached the Tor Project with the idea of merging operations. As Tails had grown more complex, rather than expanding their operational capacity independently and placing additional stress on their team, merging with the Tor Project, with its larger and more established framework, presented a logical solution. This merger will allow the Tails team to focus on their core mission of maintaining and enhancing the operating system, while benefiting from the broader organizational structure of the Tor Project.
This decision builds on a longstanding relationship of collaboration and solidarity between the two. From the first release of Tails being announced on a Tor mailing list 15 years ago, to the recent support granted to Tails by Tor, the two teams have worked closely to strengthen both tools and their impact.
Benefits for users and expanded opportunities
Whether it’s someone seeking open web access or facing surveillance, Tor and Tails provide complementary protections. Tor Browser anonymizes online activity, while Tails secures the entire operating system—from files to browsing sessions. For journalists working in oppressive regions or covering sensitive topics, these tools are often used together to protect communications and safeguard sources.
The merger will also create more robust solutions for overlapping threat models, offering comprehensive security for both network and system-level needs in high-risk environments. Additionally, this collaboration will open the door to expanded training and outreach opportunities. Until now, Tor’s educational efforts have largely focused on its browser, but with Tails integrated, a broader range of privacy needs and security scenarios can be addressed.
This merger will also bring greater visibility to Tails. While many users are familiar with Tor, fewer are aware of Tails OS. By integrating Tails into the Tor Project, this powerful tool can be introduced to more individuals and groups who need to remain anonymous while working in hostile environments.
Sustainable and efficient development
The unification of both organizations will not only streamline operations but will also ensure the sustainable development and advancement of these crucial tools. Isabela Fernandes, Executive Director of the Tor Project, highlighted that working together will enable faster and more efficient collaboration, allowing for quicker integration of new features between the two tools, which strengthens their shared mission and improves their ability to respond to evolving threats.
Similarly, intrigeri, Tails OS Team Lead, expressed relief over the merger. “After 15 years as an independent project, the toughest part wasn’t the technology—it was managing critical tasks like fundraising, finances, and HR. Now that Tails is under the Tor Project’s wing, it feels like coming home,” they said.
Next steps and how to support
As part of this merger, the donation infrastructures of both projects will be integrated. For now, users who wish to support Tails’ specific activities can continue donating through Tails’ donation page.
This merger marks an important step in the fight for Internet freedom, and both organizations encourage the global community to support their mission. As threats to privacy and anonymity online continue to rise, the collaboration between the Tor Project and Tails is a significant step toward creating a safer and more secure digital space for all.
