14 DAY TRIAL // Three months ago, representatives of The Tor Project warned users that the Tor Browser hosted in Apple’s app store was fake. Apple still hasn’t removed the application that is said to contain adware and spyware.
“Tor Browser in the Apple App Store is fake. It's full of adware and spyware. Two users have called to complain. We should have it removed,” TOR’s phobos wrote three months ago.
The first complaint was filed with Apple on December 26, 2013. The Cupertino company responded shortly after, saying that it wanted to give the author a chance to defend the app.
Now, the Tor Browser that reportedly contains adware and spyware, last updated on November 6, 2013, is still available on the App Store. Since Apple seems to refuse to take any action, Tor is left with two options.
“I mailed Window Snyder and Jon Callas to see if they can get us past the bureaucracy,” said Roger Dingledine (aka arma), the president, director, and co-founder of The Tor Project.
“Otherwise I guess plan C is to get high-profile people on Twitter to ask Apple why it likes harming people who care about privacy. (I hope plan B works),” he added.
Both Synder and Callas are respected members of the security community. Callas worked for Apple before founding the global encrypted communications service Silent Circle. Synder works for Apple.
In the meantime, users should probably avoid downloading the Tor Browser from Apple’s App Store.