2 - 4 minute read
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has been flagged for privacy concerns after researcher Justin Drake revealed that the IP addresses of Ether stakers are monitored as part of a broader set of metadata. The data is used to track a wide range of things, including deposit and withdrawal addresses, fee recipients, and IP addresses, which has alarmed the cryptocurrency community.
Drake revealed this information during an interview on the crypto podcast Bankless. The metadata is gathered as part of a broader system that tracks various activities on the Ethereum blockchain, making it a “fairly Sybil-resistant dataset” of the most involved Ethereum citizens. Drake also predicted that “special airdrops” may become available for solo stakers — but not for industry heavyweights.
Drake’s revelation raises serious privacy concerns regarding the tracking of IP addresses. One Twitter user referred to Ether as the “real surveillance coin,” while others mocked Drake’s comments by sarcastically rehashing him: “We can stop censorship by censoring those we don’t like.” The tension within the cryptocurrency community suggests that the use of metadata for tracking purposes threatens the decentralization of the Ethereum blockchain.
Based on the analysis and implications of the article, traders need to be aware of the potential privacy concerns surrounding ETH staking. It is important to note that this is not the first privacy-related statement to have caused a stir in the crypto community. Instead of relying solely on the Ethereum network, traders may have to take privacy into their own hands by installing a Linux operating system, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), and storing their crypto-assets on a hardware wallet, such as Ledger.
The Bottom Line
The revelation of IP address tracking for Ether stakers is an alarming development for the cryptocurrency community. The tension surrounding this topic is another reminder of the decentralization challenges that the Ethereum blockchain may face in the future. As the community becomes increasingly aware of privacy concerns, traders should heed the advice of installing protective measures to keep their transactions secure.
