As people are starting to wake up to a series of revelations of illicit user data exploitation by GAFAM, MetaMask announced on Wednesday, November 23, the start of a similar program. Wisely, the crypto community has vetoed this IP address collection project. MetaMask had to turn back 24 hours later.
MetaMask, forced to reveal user data?
On the ConsenSys Blogon November 23 and 24, the crypto community witnessed a volte-face by MetaMask on its project to collect confidential data from its users.
” The terms of our privacy policy were updated on November 23. Nothing has changed in the way MetaMask and Infura work. Here is a statement clarifying what we do with user data. »
In effect :
” Policy updates do not result in more intrusive data collection or processing, and were not made in response to regulatory changes or inquiries “, they added.
In the eyes of MetaMask, there is nothing unfortunate in this project since:
- adding contact details to transactions would align with the requirements of Article 13 of the GDPR;
- this will clarify what information Infura collects as MetaMask’s default RPC providers.
In other words, a language change was needed at MetaMask to better communicate the scope of user data. Collecting computer IP addresses and wallet addresses will also make it easier for him.
The growl of crypto enthusiasts
If cryptocurrencies are currently experiencing a rush of users, it is because, with the help of blockchain, they promise confidentiality and pseudonymous interactions. However, this MetaMask initiative announces the removal of these benefits for users.
Adam Cochran, partner at Cinneamhain, reacted:
” There’s nothing more important than consumer privacy, especially when it comes to your financial data – you have the right to be anonymous. Metamask has provided an excellent free service for a long time, but their decision to log IPs and tie them to transactions is unacceptable. »
However, the testimony of Hayden Adams, inventor of Uniswap, proved otherwise. By doing some simulations on MetaMask, he concluded that there is nothing akin to IP harvesting. The crypto community no longer knows where to turn.
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