Now, anyone can access Twitter through an anonymizing Tor web client, which has two big effects.
Second, it lets you work around governmental blocks.
The Onion Router
Tor is an acronym derived from The Onion Router.
ev / Unsplash
BothUK and US national security services have targeted Torin the past, although with mixed success.
Twitters Tor
But why does Twitter need to be involved at all?
Can’t you just browse Twitter’s website using a Tor online window?
Twitter’s new tool provides a direct link, instead.
“This can now be avoided by using the new Twitter Onion address.
This is specific and direct, requiring no resolution over a public online grid.”
ev / Unsplash
Twitter’s Tor plans began long ago.
In 2014, Twitter’s web connection security engineer Alec Muffet led the team that created Facebook’s onion.
Whats In It for Twitter?
This makes perfect sense for users.
Twitter is a great way to publicly share information quickly.
It applies to everyone.
But why does Twitter care?
It makes Twitter more accessible and also more valuable as a communication tool.
“Is this an across-the-board stand against dictatorships that limit the freedom of expression around the world?
Nothing in Twitter’s official statement hints at that.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter.
Free speech is free speech, whatever the reasons for enabling it.
