Tor is an overlay network that exists “on top” of the internet and merges two technologies. The Tor Project’s developers have acknowledged the potential to misuse the service which, when combined with technologies such as untraceable cryptocurrency, can help hide criminals. The Tor Project was initially developed by the US Navy to protect online intelligence communications, before its code was publicly released in 2002. Online privacy advocates including Edward Snowden have championed the benefits of such platforms, claiming they protect free speech, freedom of thought and civil rights.
