The Dark Wallet Alpha 7 has been released. The new release brings big structural changes: Interface translations support; New Keyring structure, BIP44 compliant; BitcoinJS upgraded to stable version 1.2.
The new release also brings some other minor features. The release is labeled “alpha,” so beware that it’s still considered experimental software that may have bugs and stability issues. Please read the instructions carefully before upgrading from a previous version of Dark Wallet.
Dark Wallet is a project that adds layers of privacy and anonymity to Bitcoin transactions. It is designed to protect its users’ identities far more strongly than the partial privacy protections Bitcoin offers in its current form. The project is promoted by the unSYSTEM collective, that has a primary headquarters in the Calafou Hacklab. One of the project co-founders, crypto-anarchist Cody Wilson, recently announced that he plans to run for a board seat on the Bitcoin Foundation for no other reason than to disband the organization from within.
A Significant Step Toward Full Bitcoin Privacy
The idea behind Dark Wallet is that Bitcoin transactions, although hard to track and monitor, are not entirely anonymous because the block chain keeps a public record of every Bitcoin transaction made. Dark Wallet obscures who is behind each transaction by using stealth addresses and mixing. Even when Dark Wallet is fully operational, users who don’t take appropriate precautions will still be vulnerable to identification by sophisticated traffic analysis, but Dark Wallet certainly represents a significant step toward full Bitcoin privacy.
There are two things that I like a lot about Dark Wallet. One is that its developers achieve their goals within the Bitcoin system, instead of creating yet another useless altcoin. Another is that Dark Wallet is designed to protect the Bitcoin underground of anonymous and untraceable cryptopayments. Yes, of course Dark Wallet and other privacy-enhanced Bitcoin applications will be used by tax-evaders and criminals, but I prefer a world where bad things can happen occasionally to a world where everyone is watched by Big Government and Big Capital 24/7, from the cradle to the grave.
What do you think of Dark Wallet and Bitcoin privacy? Comment below!
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