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How legal is operating a Tor node? I'm thinking of putting up a machine (and a VPS) to just run a node. I just don't want to get into legal trouble for running

How legal is operating a Tor node? I'm thinking of putting up a machine (and a VPS) to just run a node. I just don't want to get into legal trouble for running a(n exit) node.

hnha 13y ago
That depends on your jurisdiction. In many countries it is perfectly legal. It is also very safe and low maintenance.
ancarda 13y ago
Running a regular node is fine as you're routing encrypted information for the Tor network - your unlikely to get any hassle although check your countries laws on crypto first. Running an exit node may be a different story. You could get false DMCA takedown notices or get charged with someone else's crime. Think of it this way; you're running an open proxy. Uses of Tor can send any traffic through your connection. That being said, some ISPs are ok with it, others won't tolerate it. I suggest you checkout https://blog.torproject.org/running-exit-node https://blog.torproject.org/running-exit-node if your really serious about running an exit node.
- csomar 13y ago
  Then, maybe, use Bitcoins for payment and Tor+HTTPS while signing up for the hosting provider?
  - noerps 13y ago
    Bitcoin transactions are chained, that may compromise you. But you could use an anon currency-exchange or currency-bridge like paysafecard.com to obtain some value and obtain bitcoin with that value and never use that bitcoin key again to avoid that.
    - throwmeaway33 13y ago
      Is there no system to swap ownership of coins? If not there should be. You send X amount of bitcoins to a middle man who then gives you X amount back. Technically they will be different coins and they'll go to a different account #, so you can't trace anything.
      - noerps 13y ago
        I am currently evaluating that.
      - dave1010uk 13y ago
        I've heard that SatoshiDice is used for this. It's technically a gambling site but you can set the odds so you have a 98% chance of winning.
      - stordoff 13y ago
        Take a look at mixing services[1], which seek to do exactly that. [1] https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mixing_service https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mixing_service
  - Wilya 13y ago
    That's not the issue, in general. The issue is more that a lot of hosting providers will close your account to cover themselves and avoid having to deal with the potential liability.
driverdan 13y ago
If you don't want to deal with possible legal issues running an exit node you could get servers using an anonymous prepaid credit card and made up contact info. If LE ever subpoenas your provider you can just shut the server down and abandon it. (IANAL, may not be legal in all countries)

How legal is operating a Tor node? I'm thinking of putting up a machine (and a VPS) to just run a node. I just don't want to get into legal trouble for running a(n exit) node.

hnha 13y ago

That depends on your jurisdiction. In many countries it is perfectly legal. It is also very safe and low maintenance.

ancarda 13y ago

Running a regular node is fine as you're routing encrypted information for the Tor network - your unlikely to get any hassle although check your countries laws on crypto first. Running an exit node may be a different story. You could get false DMCA takedown notices or get charged with someone else's crime. Think of it this way; you're running an open proxy. Uses of Tor can send any traffic through your connection. That being said, some ISPs are ok with it, others won't tolerate it. I suggest you checkout https://blog.torproject.org/running-exit-node https://blog.torproject.org/running-exit-node if your really serious about running an exit node.

csomar 13y ago
Then, maybe, use Bitcoins for payment and Tor+HTTPS while signing up for the hosting provider?
- noerps 13y ago
  Bitcoin transactions are chained, that may compromise you. But you could use an anon currency-exchange or currency-bridge like paysafecard.com to obtain some value and obtain bitcoin with that value and never use that bitcoin key again to avoid that.
  - throwmeaway33 13y ago
    Is there no system to swap ownership of coins? If not there should be. You send X amount of bitcoins to a middle man who then gives you X amount back. Technically they will be different coins and they'll go to a different account #, so you can't trace anything.
    - noerps 13y ago
      I am currently evaluating that.
    - dave1010uk 13y ago
      I've heard that SatoshiDice is used for this. It's technically a gambling site but you can set the odds so you have a 98% chance of winning.
    - stordoff 13y ago
      Take a look at mixing services[1], which seek to do exactly that. [1] https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mixing_service https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mixing_service
- Wilya 13y ago
  That's not the issue, in general. The issue is more that a lot of hosting providers will close your account to cover themselves and avoid having to deal with the potential liability.

driverdan 13y ago

If you don't want to deal with possible legal issues running an exit node you could get servers using an anonymous prepaid credit card and made up contact info. If LE ever subpoenas your provider you can just shut the server down and abandon it. (IANAL, may not be legal in all countries)