Child Abuse Imagery Found Within Bitcoin's Blockchain (theguardian.com)

German researchers have discovered unknown persons are using bitcoin's blockchain to store and link to child abuse imagery, potentially putting the cryptocurrency in jeopardy. From a report: The blockchain is the open-source, distributed ledger that records every bitcoin transaction, but can also store small bits of non-financial data. This data is typically notes about the trade of bitcoin, recording what it was for or other metadata. But it can also be used to store links and files. Researchers from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany found that around 1,600 files were currently stored in bitcoin's blockchain. Of the files least eight were of sexual content, including one thought to be an image of child abuse and two that contain 274 links to child abuse content, 142 of which link to dark web services. "Our analysis shows that certain content, eg, illegal pornography, can render the mere possession of a blockchain illegal," the researchers wrote. "Although court rulings do not yet exist, legislative texts from countries such as Germany, the UK, or the USA suggest that illegal content such as [child abuse imagery] can make the blockchain illegal to possess for all users. This especially endangers the multi-billion dollar markets powering cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin."

Comments

Should have used AppCoin!

[Anonymous Coward]

Modern app appers know that only apps can app apps, so AppCoin's appchain only has appy apps in it, unlike LUDDITE BitCoin!

Apps!

Best. Prank. Ever.

[Cajun Hell]

This is one of the best long-con trolls that I think I have ever heard of. I wish I could claim responsibility for this masterpiece, and I don't even hate Bitcoin!

Bedobear coin ICO

[sinij]

Bedobear coin ICO in 1..2..3

Re:Probably nothing to worry about

[The Grim Reefer]

you need the Blockchain PLUS some 3rd party tool

Like a web browser? Now who would have one of those?

I view all my porn on Lynx. I can't really tell if it's kiddie porn, gay porn, or fluffy kittens. I just assume it's hot women with big breasts though.

Happened in my library too

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

I checked out, what appeared to be an innocuous book on the History of the Pennsylvania Railroad Steam Locomotives.

But I found someone has underlined strange and apparently random letter in page 33. When I transcribed all those underlined letters, it revealed links fo dark web, illegal porno content etc. I hurriedly returned the book. Anyone caught with that book is in for it ....

Reminds me of Samuel Jhonson.

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

After he published the first dictionary of the English language, a high society lady thanked him. "Thank you, Mr Johnson, for leaving certain unsavoury words out of your dictionary!". Johnson replied, " I am shocked, m`lady! You knew them and were looking for them!?".