[tbb-bugs] #16133 [Tor Browser]: Serve also the "bulk surveillance" adversary model

Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki blackhole at torproject.org
Wed May 20 12:01:22 UTC 2015


#16133: Serve also the "bulk surveillance" adversary model
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 Reporter:  vynX         |          Owner:  tbb-team
     Type:  task         |         Status:  new
 Priority:  normal       |      Milestone:
Component:  Tor Browser  |        Version:
 Keywords:               |  Actual Points:
Parent ID:               |         Points:
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 In the [https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser/design/ design
 document] paragraph 6 "History records and other on-disk information" from
 "3. Adversary Model" make Tor Browser an instrument dedicated to help
 against targeted surveillance, not primarily focused on combating bulk
 surveillance.

 In practice this means that when you install Tor Browser on an average
 mainstream user's laptop she will try it once or twice, then ask for a
 "normal" web browser. One that does all those convenient things like
 complete history, fill out forms, restore tabs after a computer crash and
 so on. A browser that doesn't do that simply appears broken.

 So the difference in threat model is to accept that mainstream users would
 like to enjoy Tor Browser for its anonymization, reduced
 tracking/fingerprinting and improved Javascript security but they are not
 paranoid about the safety of their own computer, thus they don't enable
 Private Browsing all the time and prefer to enjoy the convenience of a
 browser that helps them do their everyday work.

 In order to address bulk surveillance, Tor Browser needs to become an
 acceptable choice for mainstream users and work on its market share. This
 IMHO is reasonable because none of the existing mainstream browsers fill
 that role, they all support the surveillance apparatus, whereas for Tor
 Browser it just means a few more things to improve/make configurable here
 and there to become the best possible browser for most netizens, not just
 Torrorists.

 This task ticket serves to let TBB developers choose the priority this
 type of usage should have and to collect the bug/enhancement reports
 specifically related to improving the user experience of those who choose
 to disable private browsing mode.

--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/16133>
Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki <https://trac.torproject.org/>
The Tor Project: anonymity online


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