These companies can technically gain access to all your unencrypted traffic.
Consequently, they can see all the data on your browsing habits.
This frailty has sparked interest in decentralised VPNs.
Its a theory that Nym Technologies wants to prove true.
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The nodes are run by independent individuals in various countries.
According to Nym, this reduces the risk of data breaches, surveillance, identity theft, and censorship.
As former NSA General Counsel Stewart Baker said: Metadata absolutely tells you everything about somebodys life.
If you have enough metadata, you dont really need content.
Users of centralised VPNs, therefore, must place great faith in the provider.
The internet internet may come to look like a very different place.
Free VPNs, meanwhile, canselluser browsing habits and data to anyone they like.
Its better to eliminate the risk of holding unnecessary data at all, Brekke said.
This is what actual decentralisation offers.
Nyms approach
In the NymVPN app, the decentralisation comes in two different levels.
Data is transmitted through two hops, each of which is hosted by an independent node operator.
The operators are rewarded with NYM tokens, which are used to incentivise good governance.
For extra protection, the app has a mixnet option.
Data is divided into small, identically-sized packets that are encrypted with a novel system called Sphinx.
It travels through five hops in the web connection before reaching its destination.
To further obscure communications, Nym generates fake dummy traffic, which is indistinguishable from the real thing.
The company is initially targeting four different user groups.
The first is privacy enthusiasts, who are typically interested in emerging technologies.
Once that establishes a solid user base, Nym will target journalists, activists, and whistleblowers.
B2B and B2G clients are also definitely on the radar, according to Brekke.Weve received interest, she said.
In time, Brekke expects the general public to also become customers.
Investors have also made bullish predictions.
This, Wilson continued, will spark a market boom.
The biggest consumer technology successes of this decade will be in the area of privacy, he concluded.
Unsurprisingly, its a view that Nym welcomes.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
