Vitalik Buterin: Why Privacy is the Future of Web3

In a recent blog post, Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, emphasized that privacy is not just an abstract concept but a foundation for personal freedom, social order, and technological development. As technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and brain-computer interfaces expand the ability to collect and analyze data, the risks to privacy are becoming increasingly severe.

However, Buterin believes that advanced tools like ZK-SNARKs (zero-knowledge proofs) and homomorphic encryption (FHE) can help protect privacy in a verifiable way, while calling on the Web3 community to actively promote security standards and solutions in the context of increasing centralization trends.

Privacy Is Freedom

Buterin argues that privacy provides space for individuals to live true to their needs and goals without worrying about how their actions are judged in complex "social games," including political pressure, social media, or commercial mechanisms. He shared his personal story of being filmed and circulated online without consent, illustrating that privacy is especially important for people from different backgrounds. Without privacy, every action becomes a balancing battle between personal interests and the perceptions of others, thereby eroding personal freedom.

Moreover, Buterin warned that AI and future technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, could intrude deeper into personal lives, even reading our thoughts. Without protective measures, privacy will continue to be threatened by technology business models that exploit data without clear user consent.

Personal image of Vitalik posted on social media## Privacy Is Social Order

One of Buterin's prominent arguments is that privacy plays a crucial role in maintaining basic social mechanisms. He cites the example of secret voting, an essential tool to ensure fairness in democracy. Without privacy, voters can be influenced by bribery, threats, or social pressure, distorting the true meaning of the ballot. Similarly, systems such as justice, administrative management, or corporate governance also rely on privacy to prevent manipulation and ensure fairness.

Buterin also pointed out that allowing governments or law enforcement agencies to access data through "backdoors" is an unsustainable solution. Centralized data is vulnerable to hacking, abuse, or falling into the hands of unreliable regimes. He emphasized that the safest way is to minimize the collection of centralized data from the outset, so that the data remains in the hands of users and is protected by strong encryption methods.

Privacy is Technological Progress

Buterin asserts that privacy is not just a defensive measure but also a driver of progress. He envisions a world where advanced cryptographic technologies, such as ZK-SNARKs or FHE, allow for the safe sharing of data without exposing personal information. This is particularly important in fields such as personalized healthcare, where sensitive health or lifestyle data can enhance treatment quality but also poses risks of privacy invasion.

For example, air quality monitoring devices can provide useful data to the community without revealing the specific location of users, thanks to encryption technology. Similarly, solutions like Privacy Pools in the financial sector enable the elimination of fraudulent activities without the need for invasive monitoring measures. These advancements not only protect individuals but also open up the potential for international collaboration and technological innovation.

Challenges and Future Vision

Buterin warns that if no action is taken, privacy may be eroded to the lowest level in history, especially as AI technologies and brain-computer interfaces become more prevalent. He proposes several specific solutions: implementing local computation to minimize data transmission, using encryption to ensure privacy in remote computation, and requiring transparent, verifiable hardware to protect sensitive data.

Finally, Buterin emphasized that society always needs a balance between privacy and transparency. He called on the Web3 community and technology developers to work together to build reliable open-source tools to protect people's privacy. In a world where data is increasingly becoming a source of power, ensuring privacy is not only a personal issue but also a key to maintaining freedom, order, and progress for the entire society.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Investors should do thorough research before making any decisions. We are not responsible for your investment decisions.

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