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Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum 
$2,576, issued strong warnings against the threats to individual freedoms posed by the structure of the digital age. In a post on his personal blog, Buterin highlighted the increasing data appetite of governments and large technology companies, emphasizing that privacy has become not just a right but a necessity. He urged Web3 developers to recognize that privacy is one of the cornerstones of a decentralized structure, advocating for individuals to regain control over their data through the opportunities afforded by new technologies.
Privacy Cannot Rely on Outdated Assumptions
According to Buterin, the past assumptions such as “governments are benevolent” or “technology always develops for the benefit of humanity” seem overly optimistic in today’s context. He argues that these assumptions can no longer protect individuals and exacerbate power asymmetries in the digital world. He believes that the structure of the system should dictate who has access to information, not just the system’s administrators.
While transparency may initially appear necessary for fair governance, it can undermine individual rights when it eliminates data ownership. Buterin states that the only way to prevent this is through collecting data in as minimal and decentralized a manner as possible. He asserts that “information is power, therefore the consolidation of power in one hand must be prevented,” advocating for data control to rest with individuals rather than centralized structures.
Alternatives Based on ZK Proofs and Blockchain
Buterin also offers concrete suggestions on how privacy can be ensured on a technological level. He points out that programmable cryptographic techniques like zero-knowledge proofs enable users to verify themselves without sharing their data. For instance, a person can prove they are over 18 without disclosing sensitive information like their identity or birth date.
Ethereum’s newly developed privacy pools exemplify practical implementations of these approaches. These pools allow users’ transaction histories to be protected without direct connections. Buterin claims that these structures enhance both user freedom and security, asserting that even aggregate statistics can be obtained without violating individual privacy, indicating that a new approach to data is possible.
In summary, Buterin believes that privacy is not just a right but should also be one of the foundational pillars of the new internet. He underscores the necessity for this understanding to be adopted by all developers for the Web3 vision to succeed.
