The “Cult of the Dead Cow” (cDc), one of the longest-running US hacktivist groups, has announced its plans to launch a new privacy framework called Veilid. The aim of Veilid is to create applications that can evade the constant surveillance of targeted advertising and other trackers.
The group, which boasts a number of high-profile members and former members such as Twitter whistleblower Peiter “Mudge” Zatko and politician Beto O’Rourke, describes Veilid as an “open-source, peer-to-peer, mobile-first networked application framework.” To provide information and support to potential users, cDc has created a dedicated website for Veilid, where they can find answers to frequently asked questions, as well as contact details for app support and media inquiries.
According to the group’s website, Veilid enables anyone to build a distributed, private app and allows users to opt out of data collection and online tracking. The primary focus of Veilid is to prioritize user experience, privacy, and safety. cDc believes that while the internet initially presented endless possibilities, it has since become commercialized and lacks viable options for opting out of tracking mechanisms like cookies.
Veilid is comparable to other privacy-oriented technologies such as IPFS and Tor, but its creators claim that it is faster and has been specifically designed with privacy in mind. The framework is originally written in Rust, features robust encryption, and can run on various platforms including Linux, Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and web browsers (WebAssembly).
“We believe that people should be able to build relationships, learn, create, and build online without being monetized,” stated the group on its website. “With Veilid, the user is in control, in a way that is approachable and friendly to everyone, regardless of technical ability. We want to give the world the Internet we should have had all along.”
What sets Veilid apart is its lack of profit motive. The group emphasizes that this allows them to promote ideals without the compromise of capitalism. They envision a version of the internet that respects user privacy and provides a more equitable experience for all.
The official launch of the Veilid framework will take place at DEF CON on August 11th at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. During the event, cDc members will conduct demonstrations of the Veilid server, VeilidChat, and the application framework itself, in a 45-minute talk. In the meantime, interested individuals can subscribe to the group’s newsletter, which is designed to respect user privacy and will only send a maximum of two emails before deleting the mailing list entirely.
cDc’s announcement of Veilid has generated significant interest within the tech and privacy communities. Many are eager to see whether this framework will deliver on its promise of providing a privacy-focused alternative to the current internet landscape. With high-profile members and an established reputation, cDc is well-positioned to make an impact with Veilid. The DEF CON launch event is likely to garner attention and potentially draw supporters who share the group’s vision of a more privacy-centric internet.
As technology continues to advance, privacy concerns have become increasingly prevalent. With the advent of targeted advertising and tracking mechanisms, internet users are searching for ways to maintain control over their personal data. Veilid aims to provide a solution to this problem by offering a framework that prioritizes privacy, giving users the ability to opt out of data collection and online tracking. If successful, Veilid could become a powerful tool for individuals who value their privacy in an increasingly commercialized digital world.