[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/>
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