Anonymous P2P
An anonymous P2P computer network is a particular type of peer-to-peer network in which the users and their nodes are pseudonymous by default. The primary difference in between regular and anonymous networks is in the P2P routing method of their respective network architectures.
The name anonymous P2P is somewhat of a misnomer. This is so since by design a network node must be pseudonymous since it must have an "address" at which it can be reached by other peer nodes in order to exchange data. However, usually this address, especially on anonymous networks, does not contain any directly identifiable information. Thus a user is highly, but not completely, anonymous.
There are many reasons why there is increasing interest in anonymous P2P applications which include distrust of government (especially in undemocratic regimes), and digital imprimatur. Such a network may also appeal to those wishing to share copyrighted music files illegally - the Recording Industry Association of America has successfully tracked and threatened to sue some users on non-anonymous P2P networks.
Uses of P2P
There are many personal uses of anonymous P2P technology which include: anonymous websurfing to prevent the tracking of visitors; blocking governments from collecting lists of website visitors; circumvent censorship by employers, ISPs, schools and government; protecting whistleblowers.
Governments are also interested in anonymous P2P technology. The United States Navy is financing the development of Free Haven's Tor for politically sensitive negotiations and to aid in hiding the identity of government employees for intelligence gathering work.
The philosophy of anonymous P2P
There are several arguments made by individuals as to why they consider anonymous P2P applications desirable and in some cases necessary to freedom of speech and the free flow of information.
One argument is that true freedom of speech, especially on controversial subjects, is difficult or impossible unless individuals can speak anonymously. If anonymity was not offered, then they could be subject to threat or reprisal for voicing an unpopular view. This is one reason why voting is done by secret ballot in many democracies, to prevent this kind of intimidation.
Consequences of P2P anonymity
- Difficult or impossible to uphold laws that can be broken through P2P networks. This could lead to the breakdown of intellectual property. Copyright could be safely ignored (though see digital rights management)
- With anonymous money, it becomes possible to arrange anonymous markets where one can buy and sell just about anything anonymously. Assassination markets would be the dark side of this. The transfer of physical goods between buyer and seller may compromise anonymity, however.
- It is easy to publish any information you want without the possibility of having your physical identity revealed. This could be used to openly publish information that governments forbids, like child pornography, but also other controversial information which the government wants to keep hidden like details about corruption issues.
- Anonymous money could be used to avoid tax collection. That could lead to a movement towards anarcho-capitalism. It is highly unlikely that all necessary transactions could be done anonymously, however; if nothing else, a government could still rely on property taxes.
Overall, anonymous peer to peer networks makes it impossible to hinder information to spread. Digital money inside a banking computer system could be considered to be just information.
Anonymous P2P clients
