Usage of a semi-secret U.S. government-created Internet network increased in recent days amid continuing revelations about secret U.S. government spy programs.
Internet users concerned about their privacy have increased their usage of the anonymous online network Tor since former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden first revealed the NSA’s Internet surveillance program.
Tor, developed by the U.S. Navy, is used by governments, activists, journalists and dissidents to conceal their online activities from prying eyes.
Tor usage, however, is not entirely anonymous. Internet Service Providers are able to detect Tor usage on their networks and trace it back to the Internet user.
Activity on the network began to rise on Aug. 20; two days prior, David Miranda — Guardian journalist and blogger Glenn Greenwald’s spouse — was detained by U.K. police at London’s Heathrow Airport for nine hours.
As of Wednesday, user activity on the network doubled what it was three months ago.