Tor2Web

Tor2web is a software that facilitates access to Tor Hidden Services through conventional web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, without requiring a direct connection to the Tor network. Developed by innovators Aaron Swartz and Virgil Griffith, the project has been continued by the Hermes Center for Transparency and Digital Human Rights as an integral component of the GlobaLeaks initiative.

Unlike standard internet URLs that end in .com, .org, or .net, Tor hidden services use the .onion suffix and traditionally require a Tor connection for access. Tor2web bridges this gap by serving as a bridge, enabling users to access .onion sites through normal browsers by modifying the URL to end in .onion.to instead.

The operation of Tor2web relies on the support of a global network of volunteers who run its servers, similar to the Tor network itself.

Over the years, both Aaron Swartz and Virgil Griffith, the original creators of Tor2web, encountered legal challenges related to their digital activism. Aaron Swartz, a prominent figure in the development of the internet, co-founded Reddit, contributed to the development of the modern RSS feed, and was instrumental in creating Creative Commons. His legal troubles began in 2011 after he was arrested for downloading a significant number of academic articles from JSTOR through the MIT network. Facing increasing legal pressure, Swartz was threatened with severe penalties, including decades in prison and hefty fines. His battle ended tragically when he took his own life on January 11, 2013, in his Brooklyn apartment, leaving a legacy of advocacy for open access and internet freedom.