Snowden warns that VC funding limits blockchain independence, calling for more decentralization.
AI surveillance threatens privacy as Snowden urges protections against centralized control.
Open-source tools empower users, Snowden believes, and are key to true decentralization.
Edward Snowden recently emphasized the urgency of decentralization at the Near Protocol's Redacted conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The former NSA contractor and privacy advocate highlighted concerns over venture capitalists' control in blockchain and the dangers of AI-driven surveillance.
https://twitter.com/DomPachino101/status/1855752042427592930 Critique of VC-Backed Blockchain Projects
Snowden discussed blockchain technology, specifically focusing on the influence of venture capitalists (VCs) on certain projects. Using Solana as a key example, he criticized the blockchain for its reliance on heavy VC funding.
He noted that this backing could compromise the decentralization principles blockchain was intended to uphold, claiming the network was “born in prison” due to investors holding excessive ownership. Although he acknowledged Solana's rapid growth, Snowden warned that VCs might hinder its independence.
AI-Powered Surveillance and Privacy Concerns
During the conference, Snowden voiced concerns about AI-enabled surveillance. According to him, advanced AI tools have allowed governments and corporations to expand real-time monitoring capabilities. This enables extensive data collection on personal activities.
He pointed out that this technology aims to identify any anomalous behavior by scrutinizing vast amounts of human data, potentially threatening individual privacy.
He warned that unchecked AI surveillance could lead to increased control over personal lives by centralized authorities, contradicting the freedom decentralization advocates seek.
Uniswap Incident Raises Decentralization Issues
Snowden also referenced previous concerns with centralized control in blockchain projects. He cited a voting incident where venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz influenced the deployment of Uniswap v3 on the BNB Chain.
This vote illustrated the power that large stakeholders can wield in projects supposedly designed to be decentralized. Snowden argued that such influence undermines the core philosophy of blockchain technology by enabling centralized entities to maintain control.
Call for Open-Source Solutions
Snowden advocated for open-source tools as a way to foster decentralization and reduce central authority. He emphasized that open-source software could empower individuals and communities to protect their privacy and control their data.
By promoting transparent, accessible tools, Snowden believes that individuals can resist the pressures of centralized influence and ensure the integrity of decentralized projects.
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