The Cult of the Dead Cow: Digital Mavericks Rescuing the Internet

How the Cult of the Dead Cow plans to save the internet

The State of the Modern Internet

The internet as we know it today has become a privacy nightmare, with platforms like Facebook, Google, and Twitter dominating the online experience. These platforms rely on targeted advertising, where privacy often takes a backseat to delivering personalized ads. Recognizing the need for change, the hacking collective known as the Cult of the Dead Cow (cDc) has launched a project called Veilid, aiming to rebuild the internet with privacy as the default.

A Foundation for Privacy-Focused Apps

The cDc, also known as the “original hacking supergroup,” has a history of building tools to protect user privacy and security. Veilid is their most ambitious project yet, seeking to replace the advertising giants behind social media platforms with open-source, serverless, peer-to-peer, and mobile-first applications. By creating an application framework that prioritizes privacy, Veilid empowers developers to build applications that operate under a fundamentally different ethos than the current advertising-driven internet economy.

The Motive for Privacy: Safety and Trust

Veilid aims to eliminate the profit motive in developing privacy-focused applications, thereby ensuring safety and trust. Katelyn “Medusfour” Bowden, founder of the advocacy group BADASS, asserts that including a profit motive compromises trust and safety. By removing the need to appease venture capitalists or investors, Veilid creates an environment where developers can prioritize privacy without external pressures. The project operates under the non-profit Veilid Foundation, consisting of cDc members Christien “DilDog” Rioux and Paul Miller, alongside Bowden.

A Challenge for Decentralized Networks

While alternative platforms to Twitter have emerged following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the social media giant, decentralized networks have struggled to gain mainstream traction. Protocols like ActivityPub for Mastodon and AT Protocol for Bluesky Social offer decentralized designs but often lack ease of use, hindering widespread adoption. Veilid seeks to address this challenge by prioritizing simplicity, aiming to provide a user-friendly experience comparable to Meta’s Threads, which garnered 10 million users within its first seven hours.

The Role of Developers in Privacy-Preserving Apps

While applications like Signal and Keybase have gained popularity among tech-savvy users due to their focus on privacy, many developers face difficulties in implementing robust privacy and security features. Veilid intends to provide a foundation for developers by ensuring privacy is the default in various applications, whether chat messengers, social media platforms, or storage apps. By doing so, Veilid opens up endless possibilities for privacy-focused software development.

A Community Approach to Hacktivism

Veilid recognizes the importance of building a community around its framework. The project has already launched a Discord server, attracting users with diverse ideas, small projects, and contributions to the framework’s development. Open-source development often caters primarily to programmers, excluding less tech-savvy individuals from influencing the products they use. Veilid seeks to change this by encouraging non-technical people to join their community and contribute their perspectives, ensuring that regular people have a say in how apps are built.

Editorial: A Promising Initiative to Restore Internet Privacy

The Need for Privacy-Centric Alternatives

The concerns surrounding online privacy have grown exponentially in recent years. From data breaches to surveillance, users are increasingly aware of the risks associated with the current state of the internet. Platforms like Veilid offer a glimmer of hope, providing an alternative framework that places privacy at the forefront. By challenging the advertising-driven business models of major platforms, Veilid sets a new precedent for software developers to prioritize privacy in their applications.

Empowering Developers to Make a Difference

Developers play a crucial role in shaping the digital landscape. With the Veilid framework, they are provided with an opportunity to make a significant impact by building privacy-focused applications. By making privacy the default, Veilid offers a viable path for developers to contribute to a more secure and private internet. The project’s dedication to creating resources, open-source tools, and a welcoming community ensures that developers at all levels can participate and make a difference.

Advice to Internet Users

Understanding the Trade-Offs

As internet users, we must comprehend the trade-offs between convenience and privacy. While platforms like Facebook and Google offer seamless experiences, they come at the cost of our personal information. Veilid’s emergence signals a growing demand for alternatives that prioritize privacy. By exploring and supporting privacy-centric options, we can regain control over our digital lives and protect our sensitive data.

Participating in Privacy-Focused Communities

Privacy is not solely the responsibility of developers and hackers. As individuals, we can actively engage in privacy-focused communities, such as the Veilid Discord server, to contribute our ideas and perspectives. By joining these communities, we become part of the conversation and help shape the future of privacy-oriented technology. Non-technical individuals are especially encouraged to participate, as their unique viewpoints ensure that these platforms cater to a broad range of users.

Making Informed Choices

When selecting applications and services, it is important to prioritize privacy. Look for platforms that prioritize user security and offer transparent privacy policies. Tools like Signal and Keybase are excellent examples of applications that put privacy first. Stay informed about the latest developments in privacy-centric technology and take advantage of alternatives that align with your values.

Supporting Privacy Initiatives

Supporting initiatives like Veilid is a tangible way to contribute to the restoration of internet privacy. Whether it is through financial support, spreading awareness, or contributing to open-source projects, every effort counts. By collectively demanding privacy-focused alternatives, we can drive change and encourage the development of a secure and private internet for all.

In an era plagued by privacy concerns, initiatives like Veilid offer hope for a more secure and private online experience. By prioritizing privacy, empowering developers, and fostering inclusive communities, projects like Veilid are laying the groundwork for a privacy-centric internet ecosystem. It is now up to individuals, developers, and society as a whole to support and actively participate in this movement towards a brighter digital future.