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Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

blog.sia.tech

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Re: Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

#31
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't. The last real application of Sia that I heard of during the previous crypto boom basically sounded like renting your HD space out to people who would potentially use it to store illegal content.

That's the biggest risk of permissionless / decentralized -- you learn quickly why permissioning and centralization are important.

Can you provide some of the reasons?

Re: Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

#33

Can someone ELI5 why you need a blockchain for this? Another startup could make a non-blockchain version of this that uses similar syncing technology to GDrive / Dropbox file sync that just syncs other people's stuff instead of yours and pays you monthly.

There are a lot of details such as finding servers with available space, paying for storage, posting bonds, collecting bonds with fraud proofs, and doing all of that in a decentralized way. You pretty much need a blockchain for the decentralization.

Re: Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

#35
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The data is encrypted by the client, so that's theoretically impossible. Neither you nor the authorities have the ability to determine what file fragments (whole flies aren't stored; just fragments) are on your PC.

It's not theoretically impossible for law enforcement to discover the encryption keys to some illegal files on someone's computer. Then they could go around arresting people who host the chunks. Of course those people wouldn't have known about those files in particular, but they were knowingly running software that enables hosting illegal files. A judge would have to decide if that's OK.

Doesn't AWS also have the same problem? Someone could upload encrypted illegal content, then later law enforcement could discover the key. Why hasn't AWS gotten in trouble for that yet?

Re: Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

#36

Can someone ELI5 why you need a blockchain for this? Another startup could make a non-blockchain version of this that uses similar syncing technology to GDrive / Dropbox file sync that just syncs other people's stuff instead of yours and pays you monthly.

Non-reliant on central services or entities.

This also cuts both ways. Your business needs a file but your customer can't connect to that node because of some political blocking of internet connections. Who can you rely on? What central service can you call to get this fixed asap?

Re: Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

#37
post #18
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the spirit of blockchain and decentralization, I think you're right. But practically, explaining that to the authorities will probably not be a pleasant experience if they manage to find cp or other illegal data on your hard drive.

The data is encrypted by the client, so that's theoretically impossible. Neither you nor the authorities have the ability to determine what file fragments (whole flies aren't stored; just fragments) are on your PC.

So basically Jeffrey Epstein gives you a CD full of encrypted files and asks you to hold on to them for him? Shouldn't be any problem with that.

Re: Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

#38

Can someone ELI5 why you need a blockchain for this? Another startup could make a non-blockchain version of this that uses similar syncing technology to GDrive / Dropbox file sync that just syncs other people's stuff instead of yours and pays you monthly.

You need the blockchain to secure venture capital investment and a vocal online community.

Re: Sia – Decentralized cloud storage network

#40

Can someone ELI5 why you need a blockchain for this? Another startup could make a non-blockchain version of this that uses similar syncing technology to GDrive / Dropbox file sync that just syncs other people's stuff instead of yours and pays you monthly.

Non-reliant on central services or entities.

Except for the software developers.
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