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The Tor Backer's Quest for Survival: A Fight Against Trump-Administered Funding Cuts



The future of the Open Technology Fund (OTF) and other internet security projects hangs in the balance as it fights against Trump-administered funding cuts. The lawsuit argues that the OTF's funding is unconstitutional and would harm US national security if cut off, but the outcome remains uncertain.

  • The internet is a global network that relies on protocols like Tor to communicate without tracking, but its future hangs in the balance due to funding cuts.
  • The Trump administration's executive order aims to eliminate several federal agencies, including USAGM, which funds the Open Technology Fund (OTF).
  • OTF provides funding for projects like Let's Encrypt, which issues free digital certificates to secure websites, and VPNs used by 45 million people in censorious regimes.
  • The OTF has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration's efforts to shut down its funding, arguing that it is unconstitutional.
  • The case could have significant implications for online freedom and security worldwide if successful.



  • The internet is a global network of interconnected computers and servers that rely on a complex system of protocols to communicate and share information. One of the most critical components of this network is the anonymizing protocol developed by the Tor Project, which allows users to browse the web without being tracked or monitored by their governments or corporations. However, the future of this protocol, as well as other internet security projects that rely on funding from the Open Technology Fund (OTF), hangs in the balance.

    Recently, it was announced that the Trump administration had issued an executive order aimed at eliminating several federal agencies, including the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). While some may view this move as a necessary step to streamline government operations and reduce bureaucratic waste, others see it as a thinly veiled attempt to suppress dissenting voices and maintain authoritarian control over the media landscape. The USAGM is responsible for funding several non-profit organizations, including the OTF, which in turn provides financial support to various internet security projects.

    One of these projects is the nonprofit certificate authority Let's Encrypt, which issues free digital certificates to websites that use HTTPS to secure their communication with users. This feature has become increasingly important as more and more businesses move online, but it also makes them vulnerable to cyber attacks if they fail to properly implement security measures. The OTF provides funding for several such projects, including the development of the Messaging Layer Security Protocol used by Apple and Google to encrypt messages sent using Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages.

    The OTF's funding has also been crucial in supporting the development of VPNs used by 45 million people in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, Myanmar, and other censorious regimes. These tools allow users to access information from around the world without being tracked or monitored by their governments. In an era where nation-state hacking is becoming increasingly common, these types of tools are essential for maintaining online freedom and security.

    In response to the Trump administration's executive order, the OTF has filed a federal lawsuit aimed at preventing the shutdown of its funding and ensuring that its internet security projects continue to receive financial support. The complaint argues that in 2024, elected lawmakers specifically allocated $43.5 million for the OTF and its internet freedom programs, and that it is unconstitutional for the Trump administration to flout the will of Congress.

    "The Open Technology Fund's appropriation is explicitly set forth in the appropriations bills and is not subject to any executive discretion," the complaint states. "Withdrawing funding from OTF, Cooper contends, would harm US national security and 'leave millions of people worldwide trapped behind authoritarian information firewalls.'"

    The fate of the OTF and its internet security projects hangs in the balance as the case makes its way through the courts. If successful, the lawsuit could have significant implications for online freedom and security around the world.

    In a statement, OTF President Laura Cunningham emphasized the importance of maintaining these tools for countering censorship and promoting democracy. "These tools are essential information lifelines that must be preserved," she said. "This lawsuit is a last resort to keep our tools online for the people who need them most."

    As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration's efforts to suppress dissenting voices will prevail or if the OTF and its internet security projects will continue to receive financial support from Congress.



    Related Information:
  • https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Tor-Backers-Quest-for-Survival-A-Fight-Against-Trump-Administered-Funding-Cuts-ehn.shtml

  • https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/03/25/otf_tor_lets_encrypt_funding_lawsuit/

  • https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/25/otf_tor_lets_encrypt_funding_lawsuit/

  • https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/otf-which-backs-tor-let-s-encrypt-and-more-sues-to-save-funding-from-trump-cuts/ar-AA1BA73R


  • Published: Mon Mar 24 20:19:41 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M








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