Opinion: Embracing Decentralized Real-Time Communication as the Key to Data Privacy
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views and opinions of the editorial team at crypto.news.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated digital transformations and adoptions worldwide, resulting in a 3-4x increase. At its peak in 2020, 58% of global consumer interactions occurred digitally.
Once users, consumers, and employees experienced the benefits of digital interactions, such as increased flexibility and reduced commuting time, they were reluctant to return to traditional methods. Online channels have become the new normal for both personal and professional communications.
While this shift is cause for celebration among tech optimists, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the associated risks. Centralized real-time communication (RTC) platforms like Skype, Zoom, and Slack pose serious threats to user privacy and data mining.
To fully harness the power of digital communications, it is essential to solve these problems. Web3 has opened up new possibilities in this regard. Decentralized real-time communication (dRTC) innovations are underway, empowering users to take control of their digital interactions and data.
Most existing RTC platforms are considered “private goods” with a primary focus on maximizing profits. They typically offer a freemium model, allowing users to access and use the product at little to no cost. However, as the saying goes, “if you’re not paying for it, you are the product.”
Web2 communication giants have been notorious for mining user data and monetizing it through third-party ads and other channels. Zoom, for example, was caught sharing users’ personal information with Meta from the moment they logged on. This included contact information, device models, and unique advertising IDs. Furthermore, Zoom’s encryption only applies to transport and not content, allowing the platform to access and read users’ data.
Even users without a Facebook account had their information shared by Zoom, highlighting the company-centric nature of legacy digital communications and advertising. The lawsuit against Zoom stated, “The unique advertising identifier allows companies to target the user with advertisements.” Users have little control over their data, despite being its primary source.
Legacy RTC systems are not only ethically flawed but also vulnerable to external hacks and breaches due to excessive centralization and single points of failure. The rise in high-profile “Zoombombing” cases is evidence of this. Slack also had to reset user passwords four years after a security breach in 2015, demonstrating that data breaches can have long-lasting effects.
Additionally, centralized RTC networks face performance challenges during sudden spikes in user activity, leading to choppy audio and video communications, particularly for users with low bandwidth and connection speeds.
The claim that “privacy is for those who’re hiding something” is misleading. Privacy is a fundamental principle that ensures autonomy and freedom. It allows users to choose what information they want to share and with whom. It is not about protecting criminals but about preserving human dignity and safety. Knowing too much about individuals gives Big Tech firms the power to create permanent records of their private lives.
Decentralized real-time communication (dRTC) networks have the potential to address these issues and align incentives for companies and end-users. Moving beyond peer-to-peer frameworks, they offer secure wallet-to-wallet communications that enhance anonymity. Innovative dRTC frameworks utilize robust end-to-end encryption, making it challenging for unwarranted third parties to intrude.
By breaking down siloed architectures and using globally distributed data points, dRTC networks improve performance and democratize access to high-quality audio and video communications, even for users with weak internet connections.
Most importantly, dRTC infrastructure puts users in complete control of their data at all times. The community-oriented nature of web3-native dRTC protocols ensures that rules are implemented or modified through consensus, rather than being dictated by centralized entities. This fosters sovereign and circular economies, where value ultimately returns to the community.
dRTC is not just about secure data sharing; it also enables genuine mechanisms for free speech and self-expression. It has the potential to make communities worldwide more resilient, self-sufficient, inclusive, and progressive.
In conclusion, dRTC is the future of digital communications, offering a range of benefits beyond secure data sharing. Its implications extend to free speech, self-expression, and the development of socio-economic dApps. Embracing dRTC will pave the way for a more robust and inclusive global community.
