Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, emphasized the need for open-source, verifiable infrastructure in key areas such as healthcare, finance, and governance, cautioning that centralized systems may undermine trust and security.
In a blog post released on Wednesday, Buterin argued that as digital infrastructure becomes integral to daily life, reliance on closed, opaque systems heightens the risk of exploitation and monopolization.
“The civilizations that reaped the most from technological advancements are those that produced the technology, not just consumed it,” Buterin stated, adding that “openness and verifiability can help counter global fragmentation.”
Buterin envisions a future where verifiable devices are the foundation of global systems, warning, “By default, we will likely end up with digital technologies created and controlled by centralized entities. However, we can strive for a better path.”
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Open, verifiable tech for health, finance, voting
Buterin expressed concerns that proprietary health technology restricts access, creates data monopolies, and subjects users to surveillance risks. He cited the COVID-19 vaccine distribution as an instance where closed systems damaged public trust. He praised initiatives like PopVax for employing open methodologies to enhance affordability and reduce skepticism.
These issues are also relevant in finance. Buterin pointed out the stark difference between the five seconds it took to approve a crypto transaction and the $119, half-hour process required to send a signed legal document internationally. “Crypto wallets and blockchain solutions illustrate how open, verifiable infrastructure can enhance efficiency,” he remarked.
He called for the development of secure, open hardware and software for essential public systems, particularly voting. Reflecting on years of doubt regarding electronic voting machines, Buterin stressed that proprietary “black box” software cannot engender public confidence.
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Buterin advocates for privacy
Buterin has consistently championed privacy. In April, he declared that privacy should be a fundamental design principle, asserting that blind reliance on transparency and good leadership is outdated.
Additionally, Buterin introduced a privacy roadmap for Ethereum, outlining the immediate modifications needed in the base protocol and ecosystem to improve user privacy.
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