This article was published on January 19, 2016

Facebook gets built-in Tor support for secure socializing on Android


Facebook gets built-in Tor support for secure socializing on Android
Owen Williams
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Owen Williams

Former TNW employee

Owen was a reporter for TNW based in Amsterdam, now a full-time freelance writer and consultant helping technology companies make their word Owen was a reporter for TNW based in Amsterdam, now a full-time freelance writer and consultant helping technology companies make their words friendlier. In his spare time he codes, writes newsletters and cycles around the city.

If you’re the kind of person that surfs the Web using an anonymizer or VPN (I am) to secure your connection, I’ve got some great news for you: Facebook is adding official Tor support to its Android app.

It’s still somewhat experimental, but a new option rolling out in Facebook for Android lets you ensure Facebook traffic routes via Tor to anonymize and encrypt your socializing.

It requires the instillation of Orbot, an app used for connecting to Tor, then a switch in your App Settings enables Facebook over Tor.

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The feature is great news for those living in countries where the government seeks to censor the internet, like Egypt did in 2011, as it ensures your connection can’t be easily snooped on.

Facebook also has a Tor onion address, which was launched in 2014, so you’re able to browse it securely on the Web too.

Adding Tor support on Android [Facebook]

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