Spoetnik brought up the points concerning end-to-end encryption in general, not only for Monero.
It's pointless. If they want you, they'll get you, at the endpoints, one way or another.
It's a honeypot feature.
After all, we could focus on more important features than anonymity, it just doesn't exist.
The dangers of a false sense of security (used to profit at Bitcointalk.org) is what concerned me way back.
And i agree it is not an issue exclusive to Monero.. but any coin flaunting this ANON scheme concept.
They are SELLING you a gimmick and it will only work to a point and only for so long.
Lets put this into perspective..
You are all putting your security hiding a hypothetical dark market transaction that if caught will land you jail time.
OR..
Your investment value.
Because what happens when Monero has a gaping hole ripped into it like the titanic Price Wise ?
It will tank like a rock in the ocean..
Who is guarding it ?
A handfiul of cocky argumentative little know it all's who showed up here a couple years ago with no experience who now think they are Earth's authority on all things programming and currency and SECURITY.
It essentially boils down to my safety, privacy and security being guarded by delusional loud mouths like Febo or smooth or FluffyPony or Risto the mental patient.
VS. the combined resources of a major first world country.
You are opposing the USA govt or Russia or China.
And i already pointed out Bin Laden's Lambo for a reason.
To highlight a point.
Ever heard of the NSA ? LOL
Why do you all believe in this false sense of security ?
If it sits on US soil and they want it then they will show up with a warrant and a gag order and take it.
I know because i have seen this in the news lots.. as i predicted a decade earlier.
My experience for almost 20 years in the File Sharing world being a user and a cracker in a major group taught me things.
Security is an illusion.
I watched as some groups were simply nailed via the honey pot scheme and they were left to pour into the pot for many years on end.. Wikipedia lists one FBI operation that they let users pile into for FIVE FUCKING YEARS !
And at that point all the users involved were bloated with a false sense of security and cockiness not realizing they were compromised and being tracked all along.
I am a "Pirate" ..my Disqus account xpmule / Spoetnik for many years now has had the Pirate Party of Canada flag for my Avatar.
I would LOVE to think we can have security and Anonymity but we don't.. and i have to be honest !
I have been battling to defend File Sharing for close to 20 years now pretty much daily.
I would love to be able to have in my tool box a full anon currency that sticks a middle finger to the authorities.
Trust me i fucking get it people.. and i am not against the idea per say.
I am against the illusion and bullshitting from people who are not experts spewing lies and bullshit while they profit from gullible greedy kids who are all too willing to drink the Kool-Aid.
It's not so much i am against the Dark Markets.
I wish the Internet was 100% open and free and lawless essentially.
But it's not !
We have to stand rooted in reality and work from the position we are CURRENTLY in..
into a new position that is grounded and realistic.
A key complaint i have is the jump RIGHT NOW from FIAT paper money to a full ANON coin.
Like i said earlier there is in fact barriers attached to the FIAT monetary system.
We ARE in fact heavily linked and reliant on them.. FULL ANON is not a reasonable concept right now.
..or at least how these guys so far have been going on about it.
I just choose to try and see things as they are.. not as i wish they were.
I hope this is provocative commentary because we are playing a DANGEROUS LITTLE GAME.
And many people are doing it.. simply to profit off you at Poloniex etc.