MetaMask Tracking IP Address

[posi]

Did metamask ever block IP addresses from Russia when the new war broke out at the beginning of the year? I think they collected this data for a long time and didn't tell us, but glad they finally admitted. For this problem, just have a VPN software that we can easily solve all, nothing too serious. But I would consider choosing another wallet which is more secure.

MetaMask does not block the IP addresses of Russian and Ukrainian users, nor does it freeze their wallets, and I have never heard the news that MetaMask handed over someone's wallet to any government entity, the good thing about this wallet is that it does not store user data, and I see that it does not track the full IP address of the users, and even if this happens, by using a VPN, you can change your IP, and thus the privacy problem has been solved.

For me, MetaMask is one of the best wallets that keep users' privacy and doesn't require them to pass KYC or anything like exchange wallets.

Metamask didn't block Russian and ukraine users during the last war but it did block IPs coming from Iran as well as IPs coming from Venezuela.

I agree with Party24*7 and Kemarit, they tell you they don't collect user data but that doesn't mean they don't do it behind our backs.
If they claim not to track users then why are they blocking transactions coming from Iran this is a contradictory statement and I don't fully trust them. There is no such thing as the best decentralized tool when it is created and operated by a centralized organization.
https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/crypto/metamask-opensea-bars-iran-and-venezuelian-users-after-russias-attack-on-ukraine-7804839/

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[merekamo]

This is common when you use devices connected to the internet. I don't have a problem with IP detection when using MetaMask. The most important thing is that my token is safe when transacting using Metamask or storing tokens.

[Party24*7]

Did metamask ever block IP addresses from Russia when the new war broke out at the beginning of the year? I think they collected this data for a long time and didn't tell us, but glad they finally admitted. For this problem, just have a VPN software that we can easily solve all, nothing too serious. But I would consider choosing another wallet which is more secure.

MetaMask does not block the IP addresses of Russian and Ukrainian users, nor does it freeze their wallets, and I have never heard the news that MetaMask handed over someone's wallet to any government entity, the good thing about this wallet is that it does not store user data, and I see that it does not track the full IP address of the users, and even if this happens, by using a VPN, you can change your IP, and thus the privacy problem has been solved.

For me, MetaMask is one of the best wallets that keep users' privacy and doesn't require them to pass KYC or anything like exchange wallets.

Maybe I'm a bit confused, it wasn't metamask that blocked IPs from Russia but coinbase that blocked wallets coming from Russia. They don't require KYC doesn't mean they don't track you, they can track your IP address and ETH wallet means they have the right to block your transaction and if you are shady or involved to crime, they will give your IP to the police. Isn't that an invasion of privacy? i also use etamask but now it's not decentralized anymore.

[Kemarit]

Did metamask ever block IP addresses from Russia when the new war broke out at the beginning of the year? I think they collected this data for a long time and didn't tell us, but glad they finally admitted. For this problem, just have a VPN software that we can easily solve all, nothing too serious. But I would consider choosing another wallet which is more secure.

MetaMask does not block the IP addresses of Russian and Ukrainian users, nor does it freeze their wallets, and I have never heard the news that MetaMask handed over someone's wallet to any government entity, the good thing about this wallet is that it does not store user data, and I see that it does not track the full IP address of the users, and even if this happens, by using a VPN, you can change your IP, and thus the privacy problem has been solved.

For me, MetaMask is one of the best wallets that keep users' privacy and doesn't require them to pass KYC or anything like exchange wallets.

Maybe I'm a bit confused, it wasn't metamask that blocked IPs from Russia but coinbase that blocked wallets coming from Russia. They don't require KYC doesn't mean they don't track you, they can track your IP address and ETH wallet means they have the right to block your transaction and if you are shady or involved to crime, they will give your IP to the police. Isn't that an invasion of privacy? i also use etamask but now it's not decentralized anymore.

I don't think that they have been decentralized in the beginning? I mean they say that they have been taking logs it's that they just put in it their ToS or something and that is why there is a big uproar right now. And that is why I said it's better to used VPN, but still though, everyone is being tracked and log once we get connected, from Google to Facebook even here in this community our ip addresses are monitored. The thing is how Metamask will used this data at hand, hopefully they won't used it as sort of blackmail or to sell this logs to a 3rd party. And I think that is the point of contention here.

[JeromeTash]

Lucky to see that Satoshi made the right decision 14 years ago, if he revealed his identity perhaps bitcoin would also become centralized.

How, if there are different miners and nodes around the world?

@dwminer1, I don't understand collecting user's IP and Ethereum addresses can be a problem for users, can you explain this OP? Do they intend to sell our data to other entities? but are IP and Ethereum addresses enough to sell data?

I think you need to go back and read the privacy policy again. There don't just collect only IP address, they collect your browsing history, browser and device IDs, browsing habits among other thing. That data is very valuable for sale

[Blawpaw]

This is only revealing how the centralized aspect of the Ethereum network works. Coinsensis practically owns ethereum and has been monitoring the network since its inception.
They are simply trying to terminate privacy and make money out of your data while wearing the false pretext they're doing it to comply with regulation.

[kelonmusk]

As a blockchain user, you must understand that IP addresses are not secret; it is the public identifier for your device. So, if you connect to any blockchain service via MetaMask, it will appear as a transaction originating from your IP address. These transactions will be recorded and stored on that blockchain. It will also be visible to anyone who wants to see it.

I think, IP tracking information is not actually collected for malicious purposes. According to the privacy policy, this is collected for the purposes of: analyzing the service, developing new features, and understanding how users access. The point of this collection is to improve the features of MetaMask.

[Silberman]

As a blockchain user, you must understand that IP addresses are not secret; it is the public identifier for your device. So, if you connect to any blockchain service via MetaMask, it will appear as a transaction originating from your IP address. These transactions will be recorded and stored on that blockchain. It will also be visible to anyone who wants to see it.

I think, IP tracking information is not actually collected for malicious purposes. According to the privacy policy, this is collected for the purposes of: analyzing the service, developing new features, and understanding how users access. The point of this collection is to improve the features of MetaMask.

That is not really the problem, the problem is that it seems from the very beginning they have been keeping track of this information and only now are coming clean with this, also if they get hacked then hackers will not only have data about which address is holding a lot of ethereum or other altcoins but they will have your IP as well, if you are not using a VPN or a proxy then they will get an approximate idea of where you live, which is very dangerous if you are holding a lot of money in a single address.

[vanesha]

Well indeed using a VPN when transacting metamask is highly recommended after this news. But so far I have never used any VPN when transacting on Metamask and it has always been safe. i don't think it really matters as long as they're right.

[Jawhead999]

As a blockchain user, you must understand that IP addresses are not secret; it is the public identifier for your device. So, if you connect to any blockchain service via MetaMask, it will appear as a transaction originating from your IP address. These transactions will be recorded and stored on that blockchain. It will also be visible to anyone who wants to see it.

Actually you can hide your IP address if you want by using Tor browser, but since Metamask doesn't support Tor browser you don't have any way to hide your IP address (VPN wouldn't work).

I think, IP tracking information is not actually collected for malicious purposes. According to the privacy policy, this is collected for the purposes of: analyzing the service, developing new features, and understanding how users access. The point of this collection is to improve the features of MetaMask.

It's just their excuse lol, any rules will have disadvantage and advantage, but they're just mention the advantage part. Do you think a scammer will blatantly say they create ponzi scheme project to scam you? nope, they wrote you will get 2% daily and will give many fake reviews in order to convince you.

[The Cryptovator]

Metamask disgusts me. Although it is non-custodial, it is extremely dangerous. If your device is hacked or your wallet is compromised, the hacker will be able to see your seed again. That means your entire wallet could be drained. I've seen a few similar claims online. As a result, use metamask with caution. Most software can track your IP address. To avoid tracking, use a proxy connection whenever you use a wallet. It is not only Metamask that collects your IP address. I'm no longer a fan of Metamask after one of my known people's wallets was drained.

[tbct_mt2]

Metamask disgusts me. Although it is non-custodial, it is extremely dangerous. If your device is hacked or your wallet is compromised, the hacker will be able to see your seed again. That means your entire wallet could be drained. I've seen a few similar claims online. As a result, use metamask with caution.

Some wallets disable seed visibility when you import your wallet seed but some wallets show your seed words by default. It makes your screen more vulnerable to hackers and if your devices are infected, your seed words will be seen.

Most software can track your IP address. To avoid tracking, use a proxy connection whenever you use a wallet. It is not only Metamask that collects your IP address. I'm no longer a fan of Metamask after one of my known people's wallets was drained.

Do you have any recommendation on better wallets to use than Metamask?

Myetherwallet
Trust wallet
Safepal wallet
C98 wallet

What is the best in your opinion or any other wallets that I did not write down above?

[yazher]

This a huge problem for someone who was using this wallet for their personal gain in a negative manner but for those who were just using it for mere transactions without any reasons to hide, this is nothing and they will just ignore the updates and continue what they were doing. As for the users who are conservatives when it comes to their privacy, then they will gonna need to start to look for alternatives that are safe and not get this kinda bad updates because it will gonna be a pain in the ass once they track your real address from your IP address and you don't know what kind of people will visit you next time.

[o48o]

@dwminer1, I don't understand collecting user's IP and Ethereum addresses can be a problem for users, can you explain this OP? Do they intend to sell our data to other entities? but are IP and Ethereum addresses enough to sell data? I don't think so . And if it's true that data collection by Consensys is quite dangerous, then yes, the answer is using a VPN, LOL.

More like giving that data to governments as they are most likely complying with regulators. Connecting ip addresses with wallets would make them way less pseudonymous and easier to connect with holders. VPN however makes this effort meaningless so maybe those will get more popular. Not only amongst people who like to torrent their warez and media.

Also the topic is misleading, it's not metamask but Infura.

[fuguebtc]

Well indeed using a VPN when transacting metamask is highly recommended after this news. But so far I have never used any VPN when transacting on Metamask and it has always been safe. i don't think it really matters as long as they're right.

It will not harm you if you don't care about privacy, the collection of IP address and wallet is only to collect your personal information and does not affect your transactions or assets. But you need to make sure that your property must be legal without any connection to terrorism or hacking, otherwise someone will visit you any day. Metamask is a non-custodial wallet but with this action as it is becoming centralized everyone will surely find alternatives.

[Jaered]

These things are bound to happen everywhere, not only on crypto associated sites, but social media and marketing sites. They are even honest in coming out to warn users. Some websites has been hoarding people's data for donkey years and secretly sell such information to the highest bidder. I was a victim of such

[Xal0lex]

It is worth thinking about using a VPN.

Or think about an alternative RPC in the settings of Metamask itself, set another service provider instead of Infura, a list of which can be found here. In general, I think that all services keep logs, just not all of them talk about it openly.

[abel1337]

These things are bound to happen everywhere, not only on crypto associated sites, but social media and marketing sites. They are even honest in coming out to warn users. Some websites has been hoarding people's data for donkey years and secretly sell such information to the highest bidder. I was a victim of such

Well yes, I think it's a common thing especially on social media apps and online selling platforms since those are the ones who generate most of the profit most. I believe that there's not much profit if metamask sold their collected data to other vendors knowing that it could affect their current standing on crypto space. People now are starting to get allergic on centralized exchange and if a news like a "trusted" non-custodial wallets selling their customers data was released. I'm pretty sure their customer trust will plummets and sooner or later their users. I honestly didn't know that Metamask is collecting IP address by using a certain RPC, I guess they bypass the system given that we can choose an alternative RPC since it will result that they gave us a choice in sharing our IP address or not.

[Silberman]

@dwminer1, I don't understand collecting user's IP and Ethereum addresses can be a problem for users, can you explain this OP? Do they intend to sell our data to other entities? but are IP and Ethereum addresses enough to sell data? I don't think so . And if it's true that data collection by Consensys is quite dangerous, then yes, the answer is using a VPN, LOL.

More like giving that data to governments as they are most likely complying with regulators. Connecting ip addresses with wallets would make them way less pseudonymous and easier to connect with holders. VPN however makes this effort meaningless so maybe those will get more popular. Not only amongst people who like to torrent their warez and media.

Also the topic is misleading, it's not metamask but Infura.

The usage of VPN has been growing during the last years, and news like this will surely make people to not only reconsider using those services but to consider them to be indispensable, as the level of privacy that we can keep is lowering each year due to the policies of the governments around the world, however if you have accessed their service before and you left your IP then using a VPN is not going to protect you as they will know that it was you accessing your coins and now you are just trying to cover your tracks in a very clumsy way.