Mission + Impact
Our mission
We believe access to the uncensored internet is a human right. Lantern's mission is to give people reliable, secure access to information and the freedom to share their stories with the world.
We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2013. Over 250 million people have downloaded Lantern to reach the open internet, many of them in the world's most heavily censored countries. Every Pro subscription helps fund free access for users who can't pay due to financial barriers, or payment restrictions in their country.
Why Lantern exists
In many countries, governments block the platforms people use to communicate, organize, work, and even learn. These blocks are deliberate, often imposed during protests, elections, or other crises when access is most critical.
Lantern was built to solve this. We are a censorship circumvention tool specifically designed to unblock the internet during these times. Our tools have been tested in real crises and they're built to adapt faster than censors can respond.
We're a nonprofit. Our code is open source and independently audited. We don't log user activity. For people in high-risk environments, that transparency is essential.
Proven under pressure
Hong Kong, 2019
During widespread protests, as internet surveillance and content filtering intensified, Lantern provided reliable, uncensored access when traditional tools were disrupted or blocked.
Iran, 2022
During the Women, Life, Freedom protests, Lantern connected millions of users. At the height of the shutdown, we estimate that 13% of all internet traffic in Iran was flowing through Lantern.
Russia, 2022
After the invasion of Ukraine, censorship in Russia spiked. As users sought access to blocked news and platforms, Lantern’s monthly active users in Russia grew by over 300%.
Impact
Lantern user stories
“I operate a platform for underground music. Everything we do gets blocked. Lantern gives us a way to share and survive.”
Shervin, Tehran
“I’m Afghan, living in Iran. My family can’t get a SIM card, open a bank account, or access public services. Lantern is how I stay connected to my relatives abroad, and to hope.”
Sara, Shiraz
“I run a foundation that lends laptops to underprivileged teens. We use Lantern so they can access courses in English, programming, and data science.”
Ramin, Isfahan
"I make wedding souvenirs at home and rely on Instagram to sell them, but it’s blocked. I’m a single mother, and this is how I support my child. I’ve joined nationwide strikes, even though I depend on this income. Paid VPNs are out of reach. Lantern keeps my business alive."
Shima, Kermanshah
"I’m a video editor and part-time journalist. Sometimes I send articles abroad, which can be dangerous. I don’t trust local VPNs. Lantern gives me the privacy and safety I need to keep doing this work."
Ehsan, Tehran
"I teach English online through messaging apps and video calls. Lantern is the only way I can connect with my students. It’s not just a tool, it’s how I keep working."
Mahsa, Zarghoun
*Names and locations have been changed to protect user privacy.
Join the fight for a freer internet
How you can help keep the internet open
Even small actions can expand access. Whether you're using Lantern every day, sharing your connection, or contributing behind the scenes, your support helps people around the world reach the uncensored internet.
Use Lantern as your primary VPN
When you subscribe to Lantern Pro, you get fast, private access and help keep it free for people in the world’s most censored regions.
Get Lantern
Run Unbounded
Securely share your connection to help someone else get online.
Visit unbounded.lantern.io
Donate
Support our mission directly. Every contribution helps sustain free and open internet access for those who need it most
Donate Now
Who we are
Lantern is developed by Brave New Software Project, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013. We've spent over a decade building and maintaining circumvention tools in the world's most heavily censored environments.
To protect our team and the communities we serve, we limit public staff information. Our code is open source, independently audited, and built through community collaboration.
Our partners
We collaborate with organizations around the world that share our commitment to internet freedom, transparency, and human rights. Together, we support open access and resilient technologies for people living under censorship.
