On its official website, “The Cult of the Dead Cow,” one of the pioneering Hactivist groups on the Internet that began its activities way back in 1984, recently announced its plans to launch a new encrypted protocol called “Veilid”. The group stated that this protocol can be used to develop applications, and from the description, it seems to be quite impressive.
The Veilid protocol is a “single-rating network of applications for mobile devices with open source and flagship application called Veilidchat,” according to the group members. These applications are typically flexible software packages that can be modified by adding new code. Open-source codes from Veilid will be available for developers who want to create new programs with similar methods of protecting confidentiality.
The Veilid website states, “People should be able to build relationships, study, create, and work online without being subject to monetization. With Veilid, the user has control over everything, and it is accessible and understandable for everyone, regardless of technical skills.”
The Cult of the Dead Cow claims that their protocol is built on the same digital foundation as the Tor browser and will use the Signal messaging application to create new methods of communication, file exchange, and ensure internet privacy.
The main idea behind Veilid is to provide users with an alternative to constant data collection and monetization, which are prevalent in most online interactions often referred to as the “capitalism of observation.”
Over the past almost 40 years, The Cult of the Dead Cow has released numerous free software projects and has included members who have gone on to play influential roles in the technology industry and beyond. These members include Peter Tseitko, also known as “Mudge,” who later became the head of security at Twitter, and former US Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who was involved with the group in his youth.
“There are very few things that do not sell your data,” said Caitlin Bowden, an active member of the cult and one of the developers of the Veilid project. “We are giving people the opportunity to opt-out of the data economy… to regain power over their own data and to tell all those people who profit off of selling personal information to go to hell.”
The official unveiling of the Veilid platform is scheduled for August 9 at the Def Con 31 event in Las Vegas.