Data and security breaches are becoming increasingly common, highlighting the vulnerabilities of existing messaging and communications platforms. Devising computational tools and systems that better protect sensitive data against malicious attacks is therefore of utmost importance.

Researchers from several institutes worldwide recently developed Quarks, a new, decentralized messaging network based on blockchain technology. Their proposed system could overcome the limitations of most commonly used messaging platforms, allowing users to retain control over their personal data and other information they share online.

  • The Doctor@beehaw.orgEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    That was exactly why I said “Did they learn nothing from the Obama administration?”

    From 2014: “We kill people based on metadata.” (Michael Hayden, former DIRNSA, 2014.ev)

    There is no “harmless” here.

      • The Doctor@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        If you can see it, you can analyze it. Metadata is more than message headers; traffic analysis generates usable metadata, too.

        • FlowVoid@midwest.socialEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Any form of internet communication is potentially susceptible to traffic analysis, so that flaw isn’t specific to this particular design.

          The goals here are to address some of the other weaknesses of communication protocols, ie lack of auditability and reliance on a central server. They do not claim it’s completely impervious to attack.