Arkham Intelligence’s Privacy Problem
Crypto data firm Arkham Intelligence is facing criticism for mishandling user data, especially in a space where security and privacy are highly valued. The company recently launched a service that could reveal the identities of digital wallet owners, which raised concerns among privacy-conscious users. It was discovered that Arkham had been inadvertently leaking private customer information through its referral program, further adding to its reputation of not prioritizing privacy.
Faulty Referral Program Doxxed User Emails
Arkham’s referral program allowed users to invite others to the platform by sharing a unique referral URL. However, it was revealed that these URLs could be easily deciphered to reveal the user’s email address, which was encrypted with Base64. This slip-up exposed users’ email addresses, raising more concerns about the company’s approach to privacy.
M4gicpotato Comments On Privacy Breach
Privacy advocate m4gicpotato drew attention to the privacy breach on Twitter. They pointed out that all Arkham referral links shared on Twitter were essentially doxxing everyone because the email address was included in the referral URL. M4gicpotato expressed concerns about the infringement on user privacy and criticized Arkham’s decision to use Base64 encryption, which only added to the privacy concerns surrounding the company.
CEO Responds
Arkham’s CEO, Miguel Morel, responded to the controversy, explaining that the coding of the referral program was done in this manner during the beta stage to identify and reward users who referred others. He assured users that changes had been made to properly encrypt user email addresses and prevent reverse engineering. However, the CEO’s response may not fully address the concerns raised by privacy-conscious users.
Hot Take
Arkham Intelligence’s privacy breach is a significant issue that undermines the trust and confidence of its users. In the crypto and blockchain space, where privacy is highly valued, mishandling user data can have severe consequences. It is crucial for companies in this industry to prioritize user privacy and take the necessary measures to protect customer information. Arkham Intelligence’s negligence in this matter is a clear indication that they need to prioritize privacy and security in their services and operations.