August 2026 Tor News [HTML]
Published on 2026-08-05
This month, we're making it even easier to help people access the open internet
with Snowflake Volunteer, a new Android app that lets anyone contribute to
fighting censorship from their mobile device. We're also highlighting
opportunities to help translate Tor into more languages, sharing important
software updates and releases, and looking ahead to DEF CON 34, where we'll be
showcasing new merch, hosting a talk on the future of the Tor network, and
celebrating community projects that directly support the Tor Project.
A dedicated app for Snowflake volunteers
There are many ways to help people bypass censorship with Snowflake–using a
browser extension, Orbot or Tor Browser, website embedding, and more. With an
average of approximately 146,000 unique volunteer proxy IP addresses checking
into the Tor network each day, the goal was to experiment with a new mechanism
and test a standalone, single-purpose app. The result is Snowflake Volunteer,
and appeals to those wanting to help people reach the Tor network and
circumvent censorship from their mobile devices. It was built as an open-source
app by Bloco, an Android app studio from Portugal, who were inspired to
contribute their skills to Tor's mission after discovering how easy it was to
volunteer a Snowflake proxy. Check out all the app's features and see how easy
it is to become a Snowflake volunteer with Snowflake Volunteer:
https://blog.torproject.org/snowflake-volunteer-standalone-app-to-help-people-bypass-censorship/
Help shape how we talk about privacy and anonymity
Speaking of volunteering, it is thanks to the tireless efforts of our volunteer
localizers that apps like Snowflake Volunteer are already available in 8
languages (Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Turkish, and
Vietnamese). If you want to expand access to all Tor apps and services,
consider contributing translations into more languages. Localization is how we
can help more people connect to Tor. Learn more about the process and get
started: https://community.torproject.org/localization/
Keeping up with the latest releases
Sunsetting Tor 0.4.8 – Please update to 0.4.9 by September
Tor 0.4.8 has reached end of life, and relays, Onion Services, and apps that
bundle C Tor should update to Tor 0.4.9 or later by September 1, 2026. This
update is not just about staying on a supported release. Tor 0.4.9 allows us to
remove obsolete directory data, which will reduce client bandwidth use and help
Tor bootstrap faster, especially on slower connections. Upgrading also helps
prepare the network for future Arti relay work and keeps older deployments from
breaking once compatibility support is removed.
https://blog.torproject.org/sunsetting-tor-048/
To help keep Tor Browser available on Windows, Linux, MacOS and Android, we
rely on a community of volunteer Alpha testers to try out early versions of Tor
Browser before its general release. This process is particularly important for
gathering feedback on new and experimental features before they reach Tor
Browser stable. If you enjoy testing new builds and helping us catch bugs
before stable, we'd love your help:
https://community.torproject.org/user-research/become-tester/
Other releases
Arti 2.5.1 released, August 4, 2026, https://blog.torproject.org/arti_2_5_1_released/
New Release: Tails 7.10, July 23, 2026, https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tails-7_10/
New Release: Tor Browser 15.0.19, July 21, 2026, https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-15019/
Upcoming events
DEF CON 34, Las Vegas, August 6, 2026 – August 9, 2026 If you're braving the
Vegas heat this week and are around for DEF CON 34, stop by our booth, say
'hi!', and explore the new Tor merch. We're back with never-before-seen items
such as the Mini-Plushie keychain, handcuff key earrings, privacy poker chips,
a custom Tor T-shirt design for 2026 along with many other staple items.
Roger Dingledine will give a Tor talk on Sunday, August 9, at 10am, entitled
"Shepherding the Tor network," examining the lessons learned from operating the
network for close to 25 years: from relays to directory authorities -- on
finding and removing bad relays, and generally looking at the safety of users,
relay operators, and the Tor community.
We'd also like to give a special shout-out to Laura Scherling who is debuting
her short graphic book, The ABCs of Privacy Preserving Technologies. You can
download the free digital version from Columbia University Academic
Commons, but for DEF CON attendees, the 63-page perfect bound book will be
available for purchase on Friday, Aug 7, from 2-4 p.m:
https://info.defcon.org/defcon34/content/66558 A portion of every printed book
sale is donated to the Tor Project.
Keep in touch
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