The Tor Project has released a new Android application designed to help users bypass state-controlled internet blocks. The app, called Snowflake, allows volunteers to turn their mobile devices into proxy nodes. By participating in this network, volunteers share their internet connections with people living under strict censorship regimes.
Snowflake functions by disguising Tor traffic as standard video call data. It uses Web Real-Time Communication technology to mask the activity. This makes it difficult for censors to block the connection without disrupting large portions of the general internet. The tool currently supports a network of 146,000 active IP addresses, and developers hope that the new mobile accessibility will increase that count.
The application requires background access to function as a proxy. Users can monitor connection statistics and data transfer volumes within the app interface. Settings are included to limit battery usage and cellular data consumption, as the app is intended to run in the background. The developers suggest using it while on Wi-Fi or with an unlimited data plan to avoid unexpected charges.
Security remains a primary focus for the project. The Tor Project states that the app collects no user data. Furthermore, because the proxy routes traffic through the broader Tor network, the exit node IP address associated with the traffic does not belong to the volunteer. This protects participants while they assist others in reaching the open internet. The application is now available for download via the Google Play Store and F-Droid.