[tor-bugs] #10239 [BridgeDB]: Payment for bridges (and effects this would have)

["Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki" <blackhole@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

#10239: Payment for bridges (and effects this would have)
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 Reporter:  tmp       |          Owner:
     Type:  project   |         Status:  new
 Priority:  normal    |      Milestone:
Component:  BridgeDB  |        Version:
 Keywords:            |  Actual Points:
Parent ID:            |         Points:
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 It is theoretically possible to accept payment (e.g. via bitcion) and use
 this payment to set up a custom bridge. This bridge would then only be
 shared with the identity that has made payment for it.

 There are a few advantages to handing out bridges in this way:
 - This method of handing out bridges is non-exhaustive. The more bridge
 requests come in, the more bridges will be created.
 - The bridge will be shared with one identity exclusively and will be used
 at their discretion. It becomes more difficult to block the user of a
 bridge.
 - Bitcoin is being traded in Iran, China, etc.
 - No need to search for a working bridge every week. (I assume this is an
 issue?).

 Some disadvantages:
 - This method is undemocratic. Privacy would become better for those with
 more resources.
 - This method centralizes power when it becomes the main method to get a
 bridge. In the event that this method becomes popular, more parties might
 implement this scheme. Some state might start to issue payed-for bridges
 (at a competitive rate) to a significant amount of users, and then kill
 all the bridges at their discretion. Not sure how much of an issue this
 would be in practice.

 Possible side-effect:
 - More capital control. Although in the case of China, bitcoin will
 probably not be blocked.


 Open questions:
 - Can it be automated to create unique bridges? (That are not all in the
 same block).

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/10239>
Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki <https://trac.torproject.org/>
The Tor Project: anonymity online
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