Lantern (software)

Lantern
Original author(s) Adam Fisk[1]
Written in Go
Operating system Linux, OS X, Windows
Type Internet censorship circumvention
License Apache License 2.0[2]
Website getlantern.org

Lantern is a free peer-to-peer internet censorship circumvention software. It provides a way to bypass state-sanctioned filtration through a network of trusted users, but it's not an anonymity tool like Tor.[1] Using Lantern, users in countries having free internet access can share their bandwidth with those who are in countries where the network is partly blocked.[3] Network connections will be dispersed between multiple computers running Lantern so it will not put undue stress on a single connection or computer.[4]

Lantern's CEO and lead developer is Adam Fisk, a former lead engineer of LimeWire and LittleShoot.[5]

In early versions, Lantern's framework requires the use of Google Talk for users to invite other trusted users from their Google Talk contacts.[4] It's financed through US Department of State seed funding. These have raised some concerns about privacy of users.[1] Though Fisk has said the State Department is "incredibly hands off" and never dictates how they should write Lantern, or how they should talk about it.[4]

In early December 2013 Lantern had a surge of Chinese users and could reach from 200 users to 10,000 users in just two weeks.[6] Soon after that, the network was almost blocked by Chinese government.[7]

The 2.0 version was released in 2015, users not required to connect by invite.

The software is financed by US$2.2 million (HK$17.1 million) seed funding by the US State Department.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 GUTHRIE WEISSMAN, CALE (October 22, 2013). "Here's an anti-Internet censorship program for activists by activists". pando.com. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "LICENSE". GitHub. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Anti-firewall tool Lantern infiltrated by Chinese censors". South China Morning Post. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 MCKENZIE, JESSICA (October 22, 2013). "Could State Department Funded Lantern Be Bigger, Better Tor?". Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "NEXT GENERATION ANTI-CENSORSHIP TOOLS - PANELIST BIOS". techATstate. March 6, 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Lantern Program Allows Chinese to Dodge Firewall - China Digital Times (CDT)". China Digital Times. China Digital Times. December 5, 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "China blocks censorship circumvention software Lantern after a surge of Chinese users". TECH IN ASIA. December 11, 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "US-funded Lantern program allows Chinese to dodge Great Firewall and view banned websites". South China Morning Post. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
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