Censorship resistance forms the foundation of crypto. Therefore, many cryptocurrency purists consider ConsenSys’ Nov. 23 announcement that it has 20 million MetaMask. Customers would be notified by ConsenSys (New York-based company behind the Ethereum browser wallet), that their IP addresses and wallet addresses would not be collected, a gross violation of the crypto spirit.
ConsenSys responded in the following weeks by stating that the data would be deleted after seven days. It also stated that the MetaMask features had been updated to enable users to opt-out of Infura. But the question is: Did they do enough to create crypto resistance?
Many may not be averse to MetaMask tracking their IP addresses and wallets, but a lot of people are. Blockchain is supposed to empower people to manage their money and data without the need for intermediaries (such as banks or governments).
Let’s just say that MetaMask can track users’ IP addresses and wallets in certain situations. This is for healthy discussion. These reasons could arise in the event of malicious attacks. The Infura protocol can help track down criminals.
ConsenSys may find that the “spying” has more to do with regulations such as Know Your Customer laws, Anti-Money Laundering laws, and financing terrorists than anything else.
The reasoning behind the decision to spy on or disable MetaMask’s privacy features is extremely concerning, even frightening, as it clearly violates the crypto spirit.
Users retain control and ownership
The crypto spirit is about empowering people to take back control of their assets, so that they can do whatever they want with them. In addition, they need to have ownership over their data, so that they can participate in decentralized economies such as the machine economy by monetizing it.
Infura is principally to blame for violating the crypto spirit by tracking users’ IP and Ether
While advising MetaMask users to set up a new Ethereum node, or to use a different provider, wallet addresses are used.
Author
Chris Munch is a professional cryptocurrency and blockchain writer with a background in software businesses, and has been involved in marketing within the cryptocurrency space. With a passion for innovation, Chris brings a unique and insightful perspective to the world of crypto and blockchain. Chris has a deep understanding of the economic, psychological, marketing and financial forces that drive the crypto market, and has made a number of accurate calls of major shifts in market trends. He is constantly researching and studying the latest trends and technologies, ensuring that he is always up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry. Chris’ writing is characterized by his ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to a wide audience of readers.
