Child Abuse Pics Found In Bitcoin's Blockchain - NSA Tracks BTC Users

Two articles from today and combined they have some interesting implications. I wonder if publishing them both today was intentional or a coincidence. First article is from the Guardian, second from the Intercept.

unknown persons are using bitcoin’s blockchain to store and link to child abuse imagery, potentially putting the cryptocurrency in jeopardy.

Researchers from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany found that around 1,600 files were currently stored in bitcoin’s blockchain. Of the files least eight were of sexual content, including one thought to be an image of child abuse and two that contain 274 links to child abuse content, 142 of which link to dark web services.

“Our analysis shows that certain content, eg, illegal pornography, can render the mere possession of a blockchain illegal,” the researchers wrote. “Although court rulings do not yet exist, legislative texts from countries such as Germany, the UK, or the USA suggest that illegal content such as child abuse imagery can make the blockchain illegal to possess for all users.”

“Since all blockchain data is downloaded and persistently stored by users, they are liable for any objectionable content added to the blockchain by others. Consequently, it would be illegal to participate in a blockchain-based systems as soon as it contains illegal content,” the researchers wrote.

Child abuse imagery found within bitcoin's blockchain

It turns out the conspiracy theorists were on to something. Classified documents provided by the whistleblower Edward Snowden show the National Security Agency indeed worked urgently to target Bitcoin users around the world — and wielded at least one mysterious source of information to “help track down senders and receivers of Bitcoins,” 

THE NSA WORKED TO “TRACK DOWN” BITCOIN USERS, SNOWDEN DOCUMENTS REVEAL

a reply to: MindBodySpiritComplex

Since all blockchain data is downloaded and persistently stored by users, they are liable for any objectionable content added to the blockchain by others. Consequently, it would be illegal to participate in a blockchain-based systems as soon as it contains illegal content,” the researchers wrote.

Maybe I'm technically illiterate in this case, but how is this any different from individuals participating in social media platforms, or other apps that also have illegal content? Terrorism outfits like ISIS use Twitter... FB... these stupid apps on our phones allow for all sorts of predators to do sick things to people. What am I missing here?

If you want to get rid of things like Crypto currency its a brilliant way to force peoples hand, everyone has the same reaction to child porn, if they can get a couple big high profile cases people will clamor for the govt to do something... or I may have had to much beer.

a reply to: FamCore

Because in order for bitcoin to work every person has a copy of the entire blockchain that gets updated when transactions are.made. Therefore every person will possess the illegal material. Social media sites are stored on servers making the owners and hosters liable. You can get # if you click on illegal things on social media and your device views it, downloads it or caches it but otherwise it's the uploader's and hoster's responsibility.

The difference is in how the blockchain works.
To mine bitcoin, you have to have a copy of the entire blockchain on your equipment.

So now, technically, anyone who mines bitcoin has a copy of these images- which is a felony.

The fire is lit and the IRS wants theirs... Looks like the hunt is on.

Over the last few days, I've been seeing a few news clips that are showing just how interesting things will be getting for Bitcoin:

On his Twitter account, an outspoken Rockcoons characterizes the case as “the insane Federal Government hell bent on banning Bitcoin use” and has put himself in the role of bitcoin defender.

“This case will basically make Bitcoin use a crime, something I will NOT allow as CEO of Bitcoin inc,” Rockcoons told the Union-Tribune in a Twitter message when asked about the case. “It's my fiduciary responsibility to protect all Bitcoin users, Bitcoin developers and Bitcoin companies using the Bitcoin network world wide, so I will fight these made up bogus charges all the way to the Supreme Court if I must.”

The 30-year-old was the target of an undercover sting that depicted him as being a prolific bitcoin trader who exchanged bitcoin for a butane hash oil manufacturer without complying with anti-money laundering banking rules. He is charged with operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and money laundering.

Source



And another

Reddit user says he owes the IRS $50,000 thanks to bitcoin

And more....

The US Government Clamps Down on Ability of Americans To Purchase Bitcoin

Do You Own Bitcoin? The IRS Is Coming for You

WARNING! IRS Has Obtained Records of Bitcoin Buyers and Sellers To Determine If Taxpayers Failed To Report Gains On Their Tax Returns

The IRS wants its share of the cryptocurrency revolution.

They're coming to take you away, Ha Ha!

So this is how the governments will make crypto's illegal.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Yep. I believe they've been working on this since the boom. They're finally playing their hand.

originally posted by: FamCore
a reply to: MindBodySpiritComplex

Since all blockchain data is downloaded and persistently stored by users, they are liable for any objectionable content added to the blockchain by others. Consequently, it would be illegal to participate in a blockchain-based systems as soon as it contains illegal content,” the researchers wrote.

Maybe I'm technically illiterate in this case, but how is this any different from individuals participating in social media platforms, or other apps that also have illegal content? Terrorism outfits like ISIS use Twitter... FB... these stupid apps on our phones allow for all sorts of predators to do sick things to people. What am I missing here?

You utilize Apps.

You possess blockchain.

Therein lies the difference.

The question will be more at least in the UK that you did access such filth but the fact that such filth exists inside the block chain will encourage nonces to seek it out but given what i've read the images are very small and probably thumbnail size and i'm not a bitcoiner and thus don't have a wallet and as of today have killed that idea well off. Hate to be the people who discovered it as well as they could be done for kiddy filth as well especially if they reveal the points in the chain where its stored.

The blockchain idea and tech at its most basic is fine just like anything someones going to turn up and ruin it

originally posted by: dug88
a reply to: FamCore

Because in order for bitcoin to work every person has a copy of the entire blockchain that gets updated when transactions are.made. Therefore every person will possess the illegal material.

That's only for "core" user nodes.

a reply to: dug88

There is an element of knowledge in proving any possessory offense. It is only illegal to possess drugs, illegal guns, counterfeit currency, child porn, etc., if you know that you are in fact possessing it. If you go to a store to buy oregano and end up with a bag full of weed, you are not guilty of possessing marijuana.

clean the block chain

INTENT is the whole of the law!


ats

This is the same process!

Fix one and you fix the other.

originally posted by: howtonhawky
clean the block chain

INTENT is the whole of the law!

Thats pretty much impossible due to how the system is laid out, purging the entire blockchain would introduce so many violations in a technical sense that it would be impossible to continue with it with the level of security and confidence that it has now thus killing it off as for someone to be able to remove bits and orchestrate a total rebuild would cause anarchy in the system.

originally posted by: Maxatoria

originally posted by: howtonhawky
clean the block chain

INTENT is the whole of the law!

Thats pretty much impossible due to how the system is laid out, purging the entire blockchain would introduce so many violations in a technical sense that it would be impossible to continue with it with the level of security and confidence that it has now thus killing it off as for someone to be able to remove bits and orchestrate a total rebuild would cause anarchy in the system.

total bullocks

it could happen in an matter of weeks

Isolation and impotence would be a short term fix to buy time for future programs that eliminate harsh code.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
So this is how the governments will make crypto's illegal.

The perfect poison pill.

From another article:

The researchers at RWTH Aachen University in Germany claim to have uncovered the 274 links while investigating the non-financial data that's been stashed into Bitcoin's blockchain.

Unfortunately, that's not all. A pornographic image, possibly of a minor, was also scribbled into the blockchain. This all could theoretically make the blockchain illegal to possess in 112 countries, the researchers warned in a new paper that was presented at a conference earlier this month.

...

Among the data was the child pornographic content found in three files; the 274 links were lists that directed to sites found on the Dark Web. The researchers also uncovered six wedding-related images, 609 transactions containing public chat logs, emails and forum posts discussing Bitcoin and money laundering, in addition to backups of WikiLeaks data.

Link.

a reply to: loam

What if the image is of a 16 year old girl....then its not illegal in the UK, but it is in the US.

Love how things never seem to gain clarity.

Just render any such links inactive from certain countries where such is illegal.

Why does the government allow such links to be available to peeps anyhow?

In other words simply remove the links from the web in countries where it is illegal.

There are many fixes for such that will be addressed by the blockchain team and the feds should follow suit and shut down illegal links that are in the chain.

originally posted by: howtonhawky

originally posted by: Maxatoria

originally posted by: howtonhawky
clean the block chain

INTENT is the whole of the law!

Thats pretty much impossible due to how the system is laid out, purging the entire blockchain would introduce so many violations in a technical sense that it would be impossible to continue with it with the level of security and confidence that it has now thus killing it off as for someone to be able to remove bits and orchestrate a total rebuild would cause anarchy in the system.

total bullocks

it could happen in an matter of weeks

Its the confidence that only the dodgy material has been removed and i'm not sure if the rebuild would get you out of the legal jungle of having something dodgy on your machine(s), plus who's going to farm that currency knowing that they could wake up and find some nonce has slapped a naughty piccy up and you're also to blame for helping to share it!!!