en	**Malicious actors upped the ante in 2023.**

en	**But, we also made plans to call their ante.**

en	Here's the progress we made in the first year of the plan.

en	Product development

en	**The Persistent Storage got even better at storing encrypted data.**

en	But the new Persistent Storage wasn't all fun and games for Tails users. It was buggy and we worked extra hard to fix the issues our users faced.

en	[[!img version_5.12/delete-data.png alt="" caption="New button to delete the data of a Persistent Storage feature"]]

en	[[!img doc/persistent_storage/backup/clone.png alt="" caption="Option to clone the current Persistent Storage in Tails Installer"]]

en	**Improvements to the [[Tor Connection|news/version_4.20]] make it easier to circumvent censorship.**

en	The Tor Connection Assistant is slicker. We improved the error messaging when connecting automatically to the Tor network and the handling of captive portals.

en	[[!img version_5.19/close_circuit.png alt="" caption="Option to close a circuit in Onion Circuits"]]

en	We also asked [Radically Open Security](https://www.radicallyopensecurity.com/) to do a security audit of Tails. Their [[findings|news/audit_by_ROS]] affirmed our cutting-edge security.

en	PS: Keeping Tails updated is your best defense against online surveillance and censorship!

en	**And we started moving to our new home!**

en	🎉 ✨ tails.net ✨ 🎉

en	[[!img language_switcher.png alt=""]]

en	High footfall areas of the website got a new carpet too. Check out our new [[Contribute|contribute]], [[Support|support]], and [[Contact us|about/contact]] pages.

en	A huge shout-out to the volunteers who made these possible: [@jawlensky](https://gitlab.tails.boum.org/jawlensky) for the website redesign and to our [[Catalan translations team|contribute/how/translate/team/ca]]!

en	Community and organizational health

en	Financial health

en	Malicious actors are not going to buckle down, but neither are we. This year, Tails was instrumental in several high-risk investigations and struggles for progressive change. Like this [damning indictment](https://nocallaronlasolas.serendipia.digital/) of the Mexican army's systematic surveillance of feminists in the country.

en	I, ([@bokonon](https://gitlab.tails.boum.org/bokonon)), joined our small team at Tails this year, to lead our fundraising activities. I have been obsessing over how a free software project like ours can continue improving Tails while keeping it free. And one thing is already clear: we will need your help. Often.

en	While we don't know how many Tails users donate to Tails, our guess is ~1%. Tails is designed for use by people living vulnerable, high-risk lives. Many of whom are likely to not be in a position to contribute. Your donations keep Tails free for everybody else!

en	We are near the end of our campaign to fund Tails in 2024, but quite a way off our goals.

en	We might never have the resources that powerful, malicious actors do, but we know one thing: together, we can punch much above our weight. As we go into the holidays, join us in ensuring that the Internet does not become synonymous with surveillance and censorship. Give the gift of privacy today!