NFT Evening NFT Evening
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Reddit
    NFT Evening NFT Evening
    • News
      • Collectibles
      • Crypto Art
      • Blockchain games
      • Metaverse
      • Music
      • Interviews
    • Guides
      • Top NFT Projects
      • Top Blockchain Games
      • NFT Marketplaces and Tools
    • Learn here!
      • What is an NFT?
      • How to keep your NFTs safe
      • NFT Glossary
    • NFT Calendar
      • NFT Drops
      • NFT Conferences
    • Newsletter
    NFT Evening NFT Evening
    News

    Home » News » Metamask Now Tracks Your IP Address…Has Dentralization Gone AWOL?

    Metamask Now Tracks Your IP Address…Has Dentralization Gone AWOL?

    By energiiNovember 25, 20223 Mins Read
    Contents hide
    The IP tracking fiasco
    The communities’ response
    Metamask made matters worse

    According to Metamask’s privacy policy published by ConsenSys, the widely used crypto wallet will start collecting users’ IP addresses and Ethereum wallet addresses during transactions. How did the crypto community react to this? What happened to users’ privacy? Let’s dive into the fiasco.

    Metamask
    Metamask now tracks users’ IP addresses. Can we still consider this a decentralized wallet? The crypto community remains frustrated.

    The IP tracking fiasco

    On November 23, 2022, Consensys published an updated version of Metamask’s privacy policy that upset many of the users of the crypto wallet. Keep in mind there are 21 million monthly active users. In detail, all the information ConsenSys collects from users is listed in the policy. This includes the following: identity information, contact information, profile information, financial information, marketing information, and technical information, among others. ConsenSys explains that users’ addresses will only be collected if they use Infura, Metamask’s default RPC (Remote Procedure Call) provider. However, ConseSys stated the following:

    “If you’re using your own Ethereum node or a third-party RPC provider with MetaMask, then neither Infura nor MetaMask will collect your IP address or Ethereum wallet address (but you should be aware your information will be subject to whatever information collection is performed by the RPC provider you are using and their terms regarding such collection).”

    Further, the privacy policy also states that Metamask will use your personal information to adhere to laws, including AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations and KYC (know-your-customer) requirements. Hence, possibly putting an end to the popular anonymous NFT/crypto traders.

    The communities’ response 

    Evidently, the overall sentiment from the crypto community toward the updated privacy policy was negative. Users voiced their concerns regarding the breach of privacy knowing that Metamask is a decentralized exchange. People have been questioning how decentralized the wallet is ever since they blocked users’ wallets in Iran and Venezuela last March. Moreover, @CryptoArmament in particular said “If you want to be the go to wallet for DeFi then don’t collect our data. Whether you use it now or not. Just means our data is kept somewhere waiting for a breach. Bad look and a reason for us to look for a different wallet to use.”

    One community member not only voiced his opinion but also mentioned other trusted crypto wallets. @CryptoSnooper informed the community that users can stay with Metamask and change their RPC provider or change their wallets. He said that they should consider @rainbowdotme and @TrustWallet. It’s worth mentioning that if you’re considering changing wallets it’s crucial that you restore your wallet before you uninstall Metamask. 

    Metamask made matters worse

    After receiving a substantial amount of backlash, the Metamask team responded with a rather counterproductive tweet that only made matters worse.

    The language in our privacy policy was updated on November 23rd.

    Nothing has changed in the way MetaMask and Infura operate.

    Here’s a statement clarifying what we do with user data (spoiler: nothing).https://t.co/4dDKMvcMvv

    — MetaMask 🦊💙 (@MetaMask) November 24, 2022

    Conversely, the statement states the updates do not breach users’ privacy, nor are they a response to regulatory changes. Furthermore, ConsenSys mentioned that Infura is not the only RPC provider that collects users’ IP and wallet addresses. “This is not Infura-specific and is consistent with how web architecture works generally, though we continue to pursue technical solutions to minimize this exposure, including anonymization techniques,” said Consensys.

    During the same period, Hayden Adams, the creator of Uniswap, made a tweet combatting accusations that the decentralized exchange tracks IP addresses. According to Adams, Uniswap prevents third-party apps (such as Infura and TRM) from tracking IP addresses. All things considered, Metamask is walking on a thin line within the crypto community. Users are not hesitating to change wallets. Depending on how the team proceeds, Metamask’s success could be hindered.

    Join Our New "To The Moon" daily Newsletter

    Get our free, 5 minutes daily newsletter. Join 25,000+ NFT enthusiasts & stay on top 👊🌚

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

     


    All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFTevening.com are not recommendations.

    This article is educational material.

    As always, make your own research prior to making any kind of investment.

    MetamaskNFT Wallet
    Previous ArticleProject XENO Partners With YouTuber Hikaru For NFT Drop
    Next Article Vintage Collectibles Turn To The Blockchain With MNTGE
    energii

    More great NFT Evening content:

    Spatial Metaverse Company Launches GDC Announcement Today

    March 24, 2023

    All the PFPs Invited on the Otherside Second Trip

    March 24, 2023

    Paris Blockchain Week: 4 NFT Trends to watch in 2023

    March 24, 2023

    Nike & RTFKT Team Up To Bring Physical Air Force 1 NFT Sneakers To Collectors

    March 24, 2023

    NFT Trading Soars in Virtual Worlds: $311M in Q1 2023, Says DappRadar

    March 24, 2023

    ZED RUN x Budweiser: Web3 Collaboration You Can Wear

    March 24, 2023

    MVFW 2023: A Peek at the Four Fashion-Filled Days Ahead

    March 24, 2023

    Yuga Labs Announces The Otherside 2nd Trip Captains

    March 23, 2023
    Latest NFT News

    Spatial Metaverse Company Launches GDC Announcement Today

    March 24, 2023

    All the PFPs Invited on the Otherside Second Trip

    March 24, 2023

    Paris Blockchain Week: 4 NFT Trends to watch in 2023

    March 24, 2023

    Nike & RTFKT Team Up To Bring Physical Air Force 1 NFT Sneakers To Collectors

    March 24, 2023

    NFT Trading Soars in Virtual Worlds: $311M in Q1 2023, Says DappRadar

    March 24, 2023

    ZED RUN x Budweiser: Web3 Collaboration You Can Wear

    March 24, 2023

    MVFW 2023: A Peek at the Four Fashion-Filled Days Ahead

    March 24, 2023

    L’Oréal’s Brandstorm Competition Brings You To The Metaverse

    March 23, 2023
    Get The FREE Exclusive Report
    CLICK HERE

    NFTevening is the biggest website for NFT news. We cover; breaking news, upcoming mints, plus, interviews with top NFT artists and projects. Put simply, we are the best place for new and experienced non-fungible token fans — making content fun & accessible

    Privacy policy
    Terms and conditions

    Article Categories
    • Blockchain games
    • Collectibles
    • Columns
    • Crypto Art
    • Guides
    • Interviews
    • Metaverse
    • Music
    • News
    • NFT Marketplaces and Tools
    • Sponsored Content
    • Top Blockchain Games
    • Top NFT Projects
    NFT Calendar
    • Today’s NFT Drops
    • Upcoming NFT Drops
    • Solana NFT Drops
    • NFT Calendar
    • NFT Calendar : Add Your NFT Event
    Get In Touch
    • Advertise (Media Kit)
    • Job Opportunities
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    NFT Beginners Guides
    • How to Sell NFT Art
    • How to Create NFT Art
    • How to Display NFT Art
    • How To Make Passive Income With NFTs
    • Best Crypto Wallet
    • Best NFT Coins
    • Best NFT Rarity Tools
    • What is a DAO ?
    • What Are Crypto Gas Fees ?

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.