Digital repression is now sold as a managed service. Censors are sophisticated, and collaborating. In contrast, the defender community often remains fragmented and duplicating efforts, relying on isolated tools that can be picked off one by one.

To effectively counter this threat, we cannot rely on siloed defenses. We need a coordinated and agile front.

A Shared Infrastructure for Resistance

We are honored to announce the launch of the Outline Foundation, the new independent home for the Outline ecosystem. Taking the baton from Jigsaw, we are stepping into this stewardship with a singular commitment: to ensure Outline remains a neutral, community-governed public good.

We are not starting from scratch. Outline is already a vital lifeline for the free web:

30 million monthly active users rely on our technology.
140,000+ self-managed servers are currently active globally.

We power the top internet freedom VPNs, including Psiphon, nthlink and Lantern.

The Vision: As Strong as the Strongest Link

Our vision is to move from isolated apps to a resilient, interoperable ecosystem. Through the Outline SDK, we are establishing a common technical language that allows for radical diversity. Innovators can focus on what they do best – whether that's new circumvention tech or user-facing apps – while ensuring that if one service is blocked, another seamlessly takes its place.

"Outline is attempting to fulfill the original design criteria of the Internet by keeping the system as open as possible in the face of resistance to that goal." — Vint Cerf, Google Chief Internet Evangelist

Governed by Practitioners

By transitioning to a shared governance model, we ensure this infrastructure is protected by the very people who build and use it. Our board of directors includes industry leaders like Adam Fisk (Lantern) and Martin Zhu (nthLink), guaranteeing our strategy is driven by frontline realities rather than just theory. Vinicius Fortuna, Jigsaw’s Engineering Lead for Outline and one of the project's creators, also joins the board to provide engineering support and strategic vision, securing the project's continuity.

Shabnam Aslam will serve as President of The Outline Foundation. With over fifteen years of experience in human rights, humanitarian action, and civic technology, Shabnam’s career is defined by direct work in conflict zones and global efforts to defend digital freedom in the world’s most challenging environments.

Join the Alliance

This is a new era for Outline, and we cannot build it alone. Here is how you can help:

Developers: Contribute to our open-source codebase or provide independent strategies compatible with the Outline ecosystem.
Media & Content Platforms: Integrate the Outline SDK to ensure your content reaches every audience, regardless of censorship.
Funders: Donate today to help secure the independent infrastructure of the free web.

Join us as we build a more resilient, accessible internet for everyone.

Support a Resilient, Interoperable Ecosystem for Internet Freedom