Privacy

Privacy

EU’s Europol: Bitcoin Privacy Wallet ‘Not Looking Good’ For Law Enforcement

Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, has its eyes on the popular bitcoin privacy tool Wasabi Wallet, documents verified by CoinDesk show.

Policy & regulation  ·  4 June 2020
Ethereum

‘Careless’ Users Are Ruining Ethereum’s Privacy: Paper

Ethereum's account-based model makes it more susceptible to surveillance than some other protocols and users aren't helping, a research paper argues.

Tech  ·  4 June 2020
Bitcoin

Lightning Network Overhaul Could Strengthen Bitcoin Privacy – But Many ‘Ifs’ Remain

Bitcoin developers are exploring Point Timelock Contracts (PTLCs) to improve the privacy of payments on the Lightning Network.

Tech  ·  3 June 2020
Smart Contracts

Enigma Blockchain Has a New Name and a Privacy Boost in the Works

The Enigma mainnet was rebranded the Secret Network after an on-chain proposal by the community unanimously passed on May 17.

Business  ·  28 May 2020
Security

‘Decentralized ID at All Costs’: Adviser Quits ID2020 Over Blockchain Fixation

ID2020 was moving too fast to adopt unproven technology, including distributed ledgers, for immunity passes, said prominent researcher Elizabeth Renieris.

Tech  ·  27 May 2020
Hacking

Ukraine Arrests Hacker Accused of Selling Personal Data, Crypto Wallet Info

Ukrainian police have arrested a hacker who allegedly sold 773 million email addresses, along with passwords, bank PIN codes and cryptocurrency wallets.

Policy & regulation  ·  19 May 2020
Ethereum

Developers of Ethereum Privacy Tool Tornado Cash Smash Their Keys

Developers of ether mixer Tornado Cash have destroyed their admin keys, turning the privacy tool into permissionless code.

Tech  ·  18 May 2020
News Roundup

Blockchain Bites: FATF, Financial Inclusion and Banking Without Banks: A Look Ahead at Consensus, Day 3

Your guide to Consensus: Distributed, Day 3: FATF, DeFi and why Bitcoin is still king.

News  ·  13 May 2020
CBDCs

The Problem With Money Is ‘Too Much Privacy,’ Says Ex-US Treasury Secretary Summers

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said there may be “too much privacy” associated with government-issued cash, noting the prevalence of money laundering and its widespread use for storing and moving the proceeds from corruption.

Policy & regulation  ·  11 May 2020
Security

As Pandemic Decimates Startups, Privacy Industry Holds Strong

As remote work becomes the norm, privacy-focused startups see COVID-19 as an opportunity to expand.

Business  ·  5 May 2020
Privacy

Public Opinion Shifts on Big Tech and Privacy During Pandemic

In good news for contact tracing, attitudes to big tech companies are softening. But the shift may not be good for "privacy tech."

Business  ·  24 April 2020
Privacy

COVID-19 Tracing Apps Have to Go Viral to Work. That’s a Big Ask

How do you make it so people actually want to download a contact tracing app?

Policy & regulation  ·  24 April 2020
Bitcoin

Bitcoin Messenger Explores Censorship Resistance During Coronavirus Crisis

A new bitcoin privacy technology was born this week, using the Lightning Network and inspired by the politics of the COVID-19 crisis.

Tech  ·  23 April 2020
Privacy

Road to Consensus: Harry Halpin Talks Holistic Privacy, Mixnets and COVID-19 (of Course)

Harry Halpin, a speaker at Consensus: Distributed, talks about his lockdown, and how Crypto Twitter was right, for once.

People  ·  23 April 2020
Lightning Network

Researchers Surface Privacy Vulnerabilities in Bitcoin Lightning Network Payments

Privacy holes in the Lightning Network, a bitcoin transaction settlement layer, are leaking payment information.

Tech  ·  21 April 2020