[ad_1]
Technology
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the pre-ninth document of the fiscal year 2019. Throughout the 27-page letter, the organization explains that it wants to dedicate resources to the creation of blockchain forensic applications. able to analyze the movements of digital assets focused on privacy. PRior's efforts have addressed bitcoin analysis and now the agency wants surveillance tools for cryptocurrencies like monero and zcash.
Read also: New Software Copernicus has extracted its first Bitcoin Cash Block
DHS: "US Order Forces Need Blockchain Legal Forensic Coins for Privacy"
<img class = "alignright wp-image-255149″ title=”US enforcement agencies want blockchain surveillance tools for privacy coins” src=”https://news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/195px-Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security.svg_.png” alt=”The application of US law wants surveillance tools for blockchain for privacy coins "width =" 149 "height =" 148 "srcset =" https://news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/ 12 / 195px-Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security.svg_. png 195w, https://news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/195px-Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security.svg_-150×150.png 150w "sizes =" (maximum width: 149px) 100vw, 149px”/>DHS presented a proposal for its research program on innovation for small businesses, which also includes its scientific and technological platform. The document covers topics such as cybersecurity, communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors and blockchain technology. The DHS agency explains that Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) technology will probably be exploited for commercial and government applications in the future, but some of these blockchains allow unfavorable methods of anonymity and transaction obfuscation.
"This proposal seeks applications of blockchain forensic analysis for new cryptocurrencies, such as Zcash and Monero," reads the letter of solicitation.
The DHS document continues:
Continuous research in the field also contributes to new implementations and technological techniques that continue to multiply specific types of consent, privacy, security and testing mechanisms.
Addressing the anonymity of cryptocurrency in three phases
The agency provides further details on the fact that while privacy features are desirable, some individuals and organizations are interested in using these funds for "illegal" actions. These illicit acts reinforce the need for forensic analysis on blockchain transactions that exert anonymity tactics. The DHS proposal explains that the agency wants to mitigate these problems by following three steps. The first phase is for researchers and programmers to design a blockchain analysis ecosystem for order forces or to modify an existing DLT analysis tool for this purpose. The new tool must be able to provide a specific surveillance architecture for the privacy currencies such as monero and zcash.
The second phase consists in the development of a block monitoring prototype that can be demonstrated and which involves the analysis of "suspicious transactions without external data, with external data and on another blockchain platform". Finally, the third phase will include the implementation of government-level blockchain surveillance applications.
"Blockchain's forensic analysis for the national security firm can help law enforcement and DHS security between components as well as state and local police operations," says page 21 of the letter of solicitation of DHS. "Private financial institutions can also take advantage of these capabilities in enforcing" customer knowledge "and anti-money laundering compliance".
The importance of the R & D of the Blockchain transaction
DHS has investigated blockchain and cryptocurrency activities for some time, as this is not the first instance of an agency trying to block anonymous cryptocurrency transactions. Already in April 2016, DHS created a task force to identify bitcoin exchangers without a license. In addition, DHS and a host of other three-letter agencies based in the United States have arrested money launderers using cryptocurrencies. Even those who sell digital goods using peer-to-peer markets like Localbitcoin have been stopped by the department. The group has also funded many blockchain start-ups with millions of dollars for research and development (R & D) over the years.
The letter of solicitation stressed that the current drafted proposal is not carved in stone and will probably be officially published on December 19th. The blockchain and the DLT section of the proposal specify that the forces of order must accelerate when it comes to forensic analysis and R & D blockchain transactions. "This analysis can be addressed in various ways and may take into account different use cases. of the data situation according to whether additional data from derivation sources are available ", concludes the section of the cryptocurrency of the letter.
What do you think of the DHS solicitation documentation asking for blockchain surveillance tools for cryptocurrencies like monero and zcash? Let us know what you think of this topic in the comments section below.
Images via Shutterstock, DHS and Pixabay.
Do you want to create your secure cold storage card wallet? Check our tools section.
