Tor Project removes relays because of for-profit, risky activity

The Tor Project recently justified the decision to eliminate several network relays that presented a threat to the overall safety and security of Tor network users. Network relays, vital for anonymizing traffic, have been identified to be operated by individuals engaged in a high-risk, for-profit cryptocurrency scheme. Despite being run by volunteers dedicated to privacy, security, and freedom of information, these operators jeopardized the network's integrity.

The Tor Project's relocation raised discussions within the community about relay policies and violations. Operating relays for profit contradicts the altruistic principles of volunteers combating internet censorship and surveillance. If unchecked, significant commercialization could compromise the community-driven nature of the Tor network, leading to potential risks associated with centralization.

Concerns were raised about the disclosed details of the removed relays and the potential risks, but The Tor Project has yet to respond. Speculation links the affected relays to ATor (AirTor), numbering close to a thousand, although this remains unidentified. ATor claims to empower decentralized internet relay operators via on-chain rewards, promoting open and anonymous protocols through hardware. The challenging balance between community-driven ideals and the risks posed by for-profit activities underscores the challenges faced by the Tor network.