Datahavens from HavenCo to Today

Presented at 32C3 (2015), Dec. 27, 2015, 8:30 p.m. (60 minutes)

Datahavens have long been discussed as a solution to user security and privacy needs. Instinctively, the idea of physical locations where servers for communications, financial privacy, and other services can work is easily understood and seems appealing. As a founder of the HavenCo datahaven on Sealand in 2000, I saw firsthand the potential and the pitfalls of this approach.

Datahavens have long been discussed as a solution to user security and privacy needs. Instinctively, the idea of physical locations where servers for communications, financial privacy, and other services can work is easily understood and seems appealing. As a founder of the HavenCo datahaven on Sealand in 2000, I saw firsthand the potential and the pitfalls of this approach.

We will discuss the concept behind datahavens, some specific examples, the legal and technical challenges they face, and how specifically HavenCo failed. While projects to date have largely failed, there is hope for the future, both in the physical datahaven approach and in technical measures, so there is good reason to be optimistic.


Presenters:

  • Ryan Lackey
    Cypherpunk. MIT dropout, then developed cryptographic software for anonymous electronic cash in the Caribbean to get around export controls (legally). Founded YC-funded trusted computing company in 2011, sold to CloudFlare, where he currently works. Co-founder of HavenCo on Sealand back in the late 1990s. Worked in Iraq/Afghanistan on satellite/wireless/cellular networking. Started a trusted computing company working on cryptographic software and hardware; set up and shut down a consumer VPN service due to NSA concerns, and sold the company to CloudFlare, the performance and security cloud edge company.

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