From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android


*note: these two distinctive keywords, "surveillance and censorship", have sharply disparate meanings and do not belong in the same sentence together

e.g., social media is moderated, routinely monitored and censored, whereas unmoderated usenet newsgroups are also routinely monitored but are largely uncensored . . . by stark contrast, their entire planet is under continual surveillance by big brother, the universal military intelligence community and infrastructure, which is lightyears beyond public scrutiny or exposure

defacto anonymity means nonexistence, short of that it means caveat emptor, casual users of anonymous remailers, tor, etc. are probably in less danger than serious users of any technology . . . it really is a jungle out there

(using Tor Browser 14.5.6) https://duckduckgo.com/?q=tor+gaining+popularity&ia=web&assist=true

Tor is gaining popularity as a tool for anonymous internet browsing and >communication, particularly among users seeking to protect their privacy from >surveillance and censorship. Its use has expanded beyond illicit activities to

^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

include legitimate purposes, such as enabling secure communications for activists
and journalists. 99firms.com Tor Project
Overview of Tor's Popularity
Tor, short for The Onion Router, is a network designed to enable anonymous >communication online. It has gained significant popularity over the years for
various reasons, including privacy concerns and the need to bypass censorship. >Reasons for Increased Popularity
Privacy and Anonymity
User Base: Over two million people use Tor daily, including political
activists, journalists, and everyday users seeking privacy.
Protection from Surveillance: Tor helps users avoid tracking by advertisers
and ISPs, making it appealing in an age of increasing digital surveillance.
Circumventing Censorship
Access to Blocked Content: Tor allows users in authoritarian countries to
access restricted websites, making it a vital tool for free expression.
Government Support: Interestingly, the U.S. government has funded Tor's
development, recognizing its importance for secure communications.
User Demographics
Geographic Distribution
Top Countries: Russia has the highest number of daily Tor users, followed by
the U.S. and Iran. This indicates a global interest in privacy tools.
Usage Patterns
Legal vs. Illicit Use: While Tor is often associated with the dark web, only
about 6.7% of users access illicit content. The majority use it for legitimate
purposes, such as protecting personal data.
Conclusion
Tor's popularity continues to grow as more people become aware of the importance
of online privacy and the need to circumvent censorship. Its unique features and
the backing of organizations highlight its role as a crucial tool for maintaining
freedom on the internet.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology arXiv

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