- Uniswap founder Hayden Adams has hit back at claims that the protocol collects IP addresses
- The accusations came in the wake of Consensys updating its privacy policy to say that in some circumstances it collects this data
- Adams said that Uniswap doesn’t engage in such activities and that its app actually helps block IP tracking
Uniswap founder Hayden Adams has hit back at suggestions that his protocol collects IP addresses following the revelation that Consensys is starting to do so. An update to the Consensys privacy policy earlier this week stated that IP addresses would be tracked under certain conditions, which resulted in users of MetaMask and Uniswap crying foul over the collection of their data. However, Adams has explained that Uniswap doesn’t do this, while there is a simple way to avoid Consensys collecting such data.
Consensys Privacy Policy Change Leads to Carnage
The crypto space erupted in anger this week when Consensys revealed its new privacy policy, which stated that IP addresses would be collected when the default Infura RPC was used:
When you use Infura as your default RPC provider in MetaMask, Infura will collect your IP address and your Ethereum wallet address when you send a transaction. However, 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.
Consensys added that the data itself might be disclosed to affiliates, used during business deals, or to comply with Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering requirements as dictated by law enforcement.
Unfortunately, many in the space didn’t read the message itself and instead reacted to the suggestion that IP addresses were being collected to assume that it meant on all occasions. This led to calls to boycott Metamask, while Uniswap also came in for some grief:
Uniswap: it will share address with TRM labs for compilance, Infura will make IP noted down. So at End they are coming for you. soon very soon . soon soon!! Regulations!! pic.twitter.com/5mTcXJ2CWu
— CryptoDaku (@CryptoDaku_) November 24, 2022
Adams Corrects Angry Children
In response, Consensys took down the privacy policy page from its website (presumably to re-word it), while others attempted to clarify the policy for those that didn’t actually read it, explaining that the collection of users’ data will only apply if they use Infura. Individuals using their own Ethereum node or a third-party RPC provider with MetaMask will be bound by those providers’ terms and conditions, many of whom will not collect data.
Adams also took to Twitter to calm the children down, pointing out that the Uniswap app actually protects people’s IP rather than tracking it:
If people read our our blog post instead of angry Twitter threads they would realize Uniswap web app both:
1) does not track IP
2) actually prevents your IP address from being tracked by third party apis like infura and trm using a proxy server pic.twitter.com/EnEqWjgDbi— hayden.eth 🦄 (@haydenzadams) November 24, 2022
Finding an alternative RPC is fairly easy with a Google search for those who don’t want their IP tracked (which, by the way, should be everyone), showing that this was just another storm in a teacup for crypto Twitter.
