The Tor ProjectApr 3, 2023
Today we announced the Mullvad Browser - built by the Tor Project. A browser allowing anyone to take advantage of the privacy protections of Tor Browser without Tor.
đź‘€ Learn more here: https://blog.torproject.org/releasing-mullvad-browser
We've Teamed Up With Mullvad VPN to Launch the Mullvad Browser | Tor Project

We have partnered with Mullvad VPN to develop the Mullvad Browser - a Tor Browser without Tor

Show threadJames Bartlett Apr 3, 2023
@torproject
I can already "take advantage of the privacy protections of Tor Browser without Tor" because Tor Browser doesn't require Tor to be installed separately -- it comes baked-in. What nonsense is this?
Show threadIciaApr 3, 2023
@JamesDBartlett3 @torproject means you have privacy without using the Tor Network. When you use Tor Browser you use the Tor Network to have your privacy, meanwhile the new browser doesn't connect to tor, it connects to a VPN of your choice
Show threadJames Bartlett Apr 3, 2023
@icia @torproject
If I wanted a VPN, I'd use a VPN. I have both. Why does a browser need a VPN baked-in?
Show threadIciaApr 3, 2023
@JamesDBartlett3 @torproject It has some extra goodies built-in, from my understanding, like tracking blockers. Then again, you can just install a tracker blocker like duckduckgos one, but I guess its just for convenience
Show threadJames Bartlett Apr 3, 2023
@icia @torproject
Or just use Firefox, which has excellent tracker-blocking built-in, and a vast library of extensions to choose from. I just don't get why so many different orgs keep spinning up new browsers. Well, Mullvad Browser appears to be based on Firefox like Tor Browser is, so at least it's not Yet Another Chromium Browser™️.
Show threadNyaa Apr 3, 2023

@JamesDBartlett3 It would be nice if that were the case, but Firefox has made plenty of terrible decisions in the past, and while I find them the best browser, I don't believe that they always have our best interests in mind.

It's good to have these alternatives to shift trust around a bit, and there is a gap between Tor and Firefox for users like me who want stronger privacy, but not enough to justify Tor.

Altering Firefox manually to do this causes it to be very fingerprintable.

Show threadJames Bartlett Apr 4, 2023
@LibreNyaa
If you want better privacy, but not enough to justify Tor, why not just use a VPN with any regular, unmodified browser? This new browser they're hyping comes with one specific VPN built-in, which seems like a much weaker VPN solution than installing an actual VPN client on your machine, and routing *all* traffic through it, not just the browser's traffic. Unless I'm really missing something here, I just don't really get what all the fuss is about.
Show threadNyaa Apr 4, 2023

@JamesDBartlett3 I think it's also about having an easy button, for people who want privacy but don't want to read guides or figure stuff out they can just be pointed at this for an okay enough solution that doesn't ward them off due to too many steps, or having to remember to turn the VPN on and off and open private tabs etc.

At least, from what they've told us so far, it removes a lot of steps from the process.

The use case seems unclear so far, for sure, but I hope they make it clear soon.

Show threadNyaa 
@JamesDBartlett3 looks like they actually made a use case statement yesterday, here’s a link to it https://mastodon.online/@mullvadnet/110134359282351166
Mullvad VPN (@[email protected])

“Developing this browser with Mullvad is about providing people with more privacy options for everyday browsing and to challenge the current business model of exploiting people’s behavioral data,” says Isabela Fernandes, Executive Director, The Tor Project. “From our perspective there has been a gap in the market for those who want to run a privacy-focused browser as good as the Tor Project’s but with a VPN instead of the Tor Network,” says Jan Jonsson, CEO at Mullvad VPN.

Mastodon
Apr 4, 2023 at 11:47pmWeb