Friend.tech disputes data leak claims amidst crypto debate, emphasizing scraped API source, sparks privacy concerns in decentralized social media.
In a surprising development, the team behind the widely popular decentralized social media platform, Friend.tech, has strongly disputed recent allegations of a substantial data leak impacting over 100,000 platform users. The controversy stemmed from a contentious report initially presented by The Block, which insinuated that data disclosed by Banteg, a mysterious pseudonymous developer associated with Yearn Finance, constituted a substantial information breach.
The team at Friend.tech has adopted a resolute stance, delivering a comprehensive explanation via Twitter that the data under scrutiny originated from scraping their publicly accessible API. This resounding response contests the notion of a data leak, providing important context. It’s worth noting that this debate has also seen input from contributors affiliated with X, previously recognized as Twitter, and their Community Notes platform, bringing diverse perspectives into the unfolding narrative.
Banteg’s initial move involved the publication of a repository on GitHub containing publicly accessible scraped data. This dataset encompassed critical details of Friend.tech platform users, revealing wallet addresses on Base linked to respective Twitter usernames, totaling over 101,000 profiles. In response to misconceptions arising from their initial post, Banteg disapproved of the misinterpretation.
Friend.tech’s Ethereum Discovery Sparks Debate
The X users injected humor into the scenario. A user, Satsdart, shared a link to the Ethereum block explorer, jokingly asserting they had discovered “a leaked database showing ALL transactions on eth.” Banteg’s data release came in response to a report from blockchain analytics service Spot On Chain, which highlighted how Friend.tech’s API exposed unique information, such as access to wallets created by specific users.
When inquired about potential applications of this revelation, Spot On Chain hinted at the possibility of exploiting the system. Bots could instantly purchase shares of significant accounts as soon as they signed up on Friend.tech, potentially manipulating the dynamics of the platform.
Since its beta launch on August 11, Friend.tech has generated a buzz, witnessing over 934,000 unique transactions and facilitating trades amounting to a remarkable 34,320 Ether (ETH), equivalent to $57,101,116 at current market values. Data security controversy has thrown a spotlight on the delicate balance between innovation and safeguarding user privacy in decentralized social media.