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Why the Early Cypherpunks Would Have Been Big Fans of Handshake Protocol

Handshake Protocol: A Cypherpunk's Dream for a Decentralized Internet

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Introduction

The Cypherpunk movement [1], originating in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was composed of technologists and privacy advocates who sought to use cryptography as a means to advance personal privacy, freedom, and autonomy in the digital age. They believed that privacy was a fundamental human right, and that individuals should have control over their data, communications, and online identities.

Handshake Protocol [2], a decentralized domain name system (DNS) that uses blockchain technology to distribute and verify domain names, embodies many of the principles and ideals that the early Cypherpunks advocated. Here’s why the early Cypherpunks would have been strong supporters of Handshake Protocol:

  1. Decentralization as a Core Tenet
  2. Fighting Censorship
  3. Privacy by Design
  4. Resisting Surveillance and State Control
  5. The Power of Open-Source Software
  6. A Step Toward a Libertarian Internet Economy

Let’s explore each section in more detail.

1) Decentralization as a Core Tenet

One of the central goals of the Cypherpunk movement was to dismantle centralized control over digital infrastructure, whether it was in the form of communication systems, financial institutions, or state surveillance. Handshake’s decentralized approach to DNS directly addresses one of the oldest and most centralized components of the internet: the Domain Name System.

Traditional DNS relies on central authorities like ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which can impose rules, regulations, and even censorship on how domain names are registered and maintained. In contrast, Handshake eliminates these gatekeepers by distributing control over the root DNS system to a blockchain-based network, which anyone can participate in and audit. This trustless, decentralized system aligns perfectly with the Cypherpunk ethos of individual sovereignty and resistance to centralized power.

2) Fighting Censorship

Cypherpunks were early pioneers in the fight against censorship, foreseeing how control over digital networks could be used to restrict access to information and suppress freedom of speech. Traditional DNS is vulnerable to censorship because state actors and corporations can pressure DNS providers to remove or block domain names from the root zone.

Handshake, by decentralizing the root zone itself, makes it much harder for governments or corporations to take down domains arbitrarily. No single entity controls the domain registration process, making the system resilient against censorship or politically motivated removals. Cypherpunks, who strongly opposed any form of censorship, would have admired this ability to create a freer, more open internet.

3) Privacy by Design

A core element of the Cypherpunk philosophy was the idea that privacy is not only a right but also a prerequisite for free expression and self-determination in the digital world. Cypherpunks believed in using cryptographic tools to ensure privacy, and Handshake embodies this belief by enhancing user privacy in several ways.

Traditional DNS queries are often unencrypted, allowing intermediaries to log and track user requests for domain names, which can reveal sensitive information about online activity. Handshake employs cryptographic proofs to ensure the authenticity and ownership of domain names, reducing reliance on third parties and minimizing the risk of data leakage. The protocol also allows for users to register domains pseudonymously, preserving privacy in the process of acquiring and managing domains—another nod to the Cypherpunk values of anonymity and confidentiality.

4) Resisting Surveillance and State Control

The Cypherpunks were acutely aware of the dangers of state surveillance. They saw how governments could use the internet as a surveillance tool to monitor, track, and control individuals.

Traditional DNS infrastructure, due to its centralized nature, offers a relatively easy vector for mass surveillance, as requests for domain names can be logged and traced back to individuals.

In contrast, Handshake’s decentralized structure makes it inherently more resistant to surveillance. By eliminating the need for centralized DNS providers, the protocol reduces points of failure and opportunities for surveillance. Handshake’s reliance on cryptographic proofs and a blockchain ledger ensures that users’ DNS requests are harder to trace, thereby promoting a more private and surveillance-resistant online experience. Cypherpunks, who foresaw the surveillance state, would have embraced this resistance to centralized monitoring.

5) The Power of Open-Source Software

Many Cypherpunks were deeply involved in the development and promotion of open-source software, believing that transparency in code would lead to more secure and trustworthy systems. They argued that by allowing anyone to audit and improve software, open-source development could create more robust privacy tools and protect users from backdoors or vulnerabilities.

Handshake is open-source and community-driven, which means that anyone can participate in the development and improvement of the protocol. It is built on the foundation of open collaboration and transparency—values that are in direct alignment with the ideals of the early Cypherpunks. They would have appreciated the openness and inclusivity of Handshake’s development model, as well as the opportunity to contribute to a global, censorship-resistant DNS system.

6) A Step Toward a Libertarian Internet Economy

Cypherpunks often embraced a libertarian worldview, advocating for minimal government intervention in both personal and economic affairs. This view extended to their vision for the internet as well, where they hoped cryptography could create secure, private, and self-sovereign systems of commerce and communication.

Handshake introduces a marketplace for domain names that operates outside the purview of traditional DNS governance bodies. Domain ownership is determined through auctions on the Handshake blockchain, ensuring that domain names are distributed based on market demand rather than bureaucratic oversight. The market-driven nature of Handshake’s domain registration process is much more in line with the libertarian ideals held by many Cypherpunks, who envisioned a free-market internet where users can trade value directly without intermediaries.

Conclusion

The early Cypherpunks were ahead of their time, anticipating many of the challenges and threats we now face in the digital world, from government surveillance to corporate monopolies over internet infrastructure. Handshake Protocol embodies their vision for a more decentralized, private, and censorship-resistant internet.

By decentralizing DNS, protecting privacy, resisting censorship, and operating as an open-source project, Handshake aligns with the values and ideals that the Cypherpunks held dear. In a world where the internet is increasingly under the control of centralized powers, Handshake offers a glimpse into what the Cypherpunks imagined: a free, open, and decentralized network where individuals can control their own online identity and communications without interference from governments or corporations. For these reasons, the early Cypherpunks would have been enthusiastic supporters of Handshake Protocol.

References

[1] How Cypherpunks Ignited the Era of Bitcoin and Digital Currencies
[2] Handshake Website