news.volyx.in

BBC News launches 'dark web' Tor mirror (bbc.co.uk)

765 points by worldofmatthew · 2548 days ago · 288 comments on HN

Article summary

The BBC has launched a Tor mirror of its international news website to help users in countries where the site is blocked or restricted. The Tor browser allows users to access the site anonymously and securely. The move is part of the BBC's efforts to provide access to its content in countries where it is censored. The Tor mirror will provide the international edition of the BBC News website, including foreign language services.

Main themes

  • BBC News
  • Tor Network
  • Censorship
  • Online Security
  • Journalism
  • Freedom of Information

What commenters say

  • The BBC's decision to launch a Tor mirror is a good use of the license fee, as it promotes freedom of information and helps to bypass censorship.
  • The BBC's news content has declined in quality in recent years, with too much focus on clickbait and frivolous stories.
  • The BBC's attempt to be impartial can sometimes lead to giving undue weight to fringe ideas and crackpot theories.
  • The use of the Tor network can help to protect users' anonymity and security, but it may not be necessary for accessing the BBC News website, which is already available on the clearnet.
  • The BBC's domestic news coverage is often dumbed down and focused on sensationalism, rather than providing in-depth analysis and serious journalism.
  • The BBC's world news section is generally considered to be of higher quality and more informative than its domestic news coverage.
  • The use of the Tor network can help to reduce the load on exit nodes and preserve end-to-end encryption, making it a more secure way to access the BBC News website.
  • Some users are skeptical of the need for a Tor mirror, given that the BBC News website is already available on the clearnet and can be accessed using a VPN or other anonymizing tools.