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Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

freenetproject.org

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Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#21

Post by hwers »

dkdk8283 wrote: post #17
bitwize wrote: post #11

The upshot of a project like Freenet is that no matter how noble the intentions, these days it's pretty much a CSAM distribution network and little else -- and if you publicly fess up to using it you'll be put on a list. This is why the future of the internet is censored, regulated platforms like FB, Twitter, and Reddit -- if you seek out uncensored platforms you are ipso facto up to no good because of the reputation…

I think this comment is sensational but generally true. Replace CSAM with “right leaning” politics and you are just as fucked. I’m thinking about leaving the US and getting a EU work visa to avoid the shitshow. There are a lot of people who think censorship is good - in the name of fighting misinformation - and generally hold a negative opinion of opposing viewpoints.

Not really sure leaving the US would do that much good (speaking as a european).

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#22

Post by garmaine »

smoldesu wrote: post #19
ogurechny wrote: post #15

…and its development has been exponentially decaying to zero for years. Mostly because of unsolved social problems (uneducated public doesn't understand they need real anonymous systems, and happily use corporate junk marketed as “private and secure”, while educated public dreams about making the next fart button app for the millions, and selling their data), but also because readily accessible public network gives t…

I agree, and it's frankly hard to believe that our governments didn't have some hand in shaping that future. The further you follow the cryptography and anonymity paper trail, the more often you run into intelligence agencies. In some ways, it wouldn't surprise me if our current "big tech" paradigm is being relentlessly funded and propped-up by the United States in some way or another. As more and more users get herd…

No need to speculate, we know that governments had a direct role in this thanks to the Snowden revelations.

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#23

Post by yjftsjthsd-h »

tetrisgm wrote: post #5

I wonder if Freenet is used for anything but super illegal stuff, and sheer curiosity? This isn’t to say privacy and escaping the bottleneck of traditional internet isn’t compelling. But I’ve yet to see a use case for Freenet.

You can't see any use case for a private and censorship-resistant publishing platform that isn't illegal? Okay, pretending for a moment that privacy and censorship-resistance aren't good ends unto themselves: Whistleblowing, publishing something perfectly legal but which political or corporate interests don't want published, and publishing or reading LGBT+ content in a political, social, or family situation that would disapprove.

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#24

Post by yjftsjthsd-h »

Waterluvian wrote: post #16
MrStonedOne wrote: post #4

Freenet generally has peers act as file stores. This presents some concerns people would have, but also presents an interesting question: With the existence of crypto that requires large disk spaces to mine coins, could you abuse freenet for this goal?

I’ve never heard about disk space as a relevant constraint on crypto mining. Do you mind elaborating or sharing a link or term I can search?

Probably https://www.chia.net/ , a crypocurrency that uses "Proof of Space and Time" (prove you've stored stuff on disk) rather than proof of work.

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#26

Post by drefanzor »

Waterluvian wrote: post #16
MrStonedOne wrote: post #4

Freenet generally has peers act as file stores. This presents some concerns people would have, but also presents an interesting question: With the existence of crypto that requires large disk spaces to mine coins, could you abuse freenet for this goal?

I’ve never heard about disk space as a relevant constraint on crypto mining. Do you mind elaborating or sharing a link or term I can search?

Chia Coin miners use hard drive space as proof of work.

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#27

Post by sweetbitter »

ogurechny wrote: post #15

…and its development has been exponentially decaying to zero for years. Mostly because of unsolved social problems (uneducated public doesn't understand they need real anonymous systems, and happily use corporate junk marketed as “private and secure”, while educated public dreams about making the next fart button app for the millions, and selling their data), but also because readily accessible public network gives t…

Loopix - https://arxiv.org/abs/1703.00536 Nym (Loopix but using blockchain for users to pay nodes) - https://nymtech.net/nym-whitepaper.pdf

https://nymtech.net/

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#28

Post by zepto »

dkdk8283 wrote: post #17
bitwize wrote: post #11

The upshot of a project like Freenet is that no matter how noble the intentions, these days it's pretty much a CSAM distribution network and little else -- and if you publicly fess up to using it you'll be put on a list. This is why the future of the internet is censored, regulated platforms like FB, Twitter, and Reddit -- if you seek out uncensored platforms you are ipso facto up to no good because of the reputation…

I think this comment is sensational but generally true. Replace CSAM with “right leaning” politics and you are just as fucked. I’m thinking about leaving the US and getting a EU work visa to avoid the shitshow. There are a lot of people who think censorship is good - in the name of fighting misinformation - and generally hold a negative opinion of opposing viewpoints.

You do realize the EU is further down the path of enabling censorship than the US?

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#29

Post by fsflover »

Yuioup wrote: post #9

I stay away from it because chunks of the data is hosted on your local machine, and it could potentially contain very unsavory data. Sure it's encrypted but try to explain that to your local law enforcement.

> Sure it's encrypted but try to explain that to your local law enforcement.

But how will they read it if even you can't?

Re: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication

#30

Post by fsflover »

zepto wrote: post #28
dkdk8283 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think this comment is sensational but generally true. Replace CSAM with “right leaning” politics and you are just as fucked. I’m thinking about leaving the US and getting a EU work visa to avoid the shitshow. There are a lot of people who think censorship is good - in the name of fighting misinformation - and generally hold a negative opinion of opposing viewpoints.

You do realize the EU is further down the path of enabling censorship than the US?

What are you talking about?
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