It’s 2013. The director of the FBI gives a speech titled The Going Dark Problem. Solemnly he warns of an emerging crisis within law enforcement. Since the Snowden disclosures, increasing public awareness of surveillance has encouraged the wide ranging use of encryption technologies – what he calls the tech tool of choice for criminals.
Unfortunately, the law hasn’t kept pace with technology, and this disconnect has created a significant public safety problem. We call it “Going Dark”
James Comey, FBI director
The speech highlighted a risk emerging online: mass popularization of encryption threatens to create a permanent online zone that is impenetrable to law enforcement. We maintain these dark zones remove the barriers for a truly democratic society to realize itself. Recent developments in DAOs and DeFi represent an exciting step towards this future.
Additional breakthroughs in cryptography such as zero-knowledge proofs are awakening a new era of challenge and upheaval. This document gives an overview of these advances and introduces our project: DarkFi.
DarkFi is not a corporate startup. It’s a democratic economic experiment, an operating system for society.
Here a summary what it is all about:
The DarkFi movement is an intriguing and evolving initiative that focuses on creating systems to protect fundamental human rights, particularly in the context of privacy and economic freedom. Here are some key aspects of the movement:
- Community-Driven: DarkFi is not a corporate entity; it is a democratic economic experiment and a community movement. It aims to empower individuals rather than serve corporate interests.
- Privacy and Anarchism: The movement emphasizes the importance of privacy in the digital age. It aligns with crypto-anarchist principles, advocating for systems that allow individuals to maintain their privacy and autonomy.
- Counter-Economics: DarkFi utilizes counter-economics as a tool to design systems that promote free and voluntary interactions among individuals, challenging traditional economic structures.
- Technological Innovation: Led by early Bitcoin developer Amir Taaki, DarkFi is focused on developing privacy-centric technologies. Recently, they launched the alpha version of their application, marking a significant step in their mission.
- Manifesto and Philosophy: The movement has a manifesto that outlines its goals and principles, emphasizing the need for systems that prioritize human rights and individual freedoms.
Overall, DarkFi represents a response to growing concerns about surveillance and control in the digital landscape, aiming to create a more equitable and private future for all.