Perhaps it may be time to revisit an old discussion here with the developers. At present, just seven directory authorities are listed in the directory. Three of these fall within the jurisdiction of the United States, and the remainder fall within the jurisdiction of the European Union. This situation presents a substantial vulnerability to the tor network, IMO, given the degree of cooperation between the two jurisdictions, not to mention the arrangements among the EU's member states and the U.S. Are we now at an appropriate stage such that the developers could entertain the idea of discreetly soliciting a few more potential authority sites and operators in other jurisdictions? I submit, for examples, that Brazil, Japan, and probably the Union of South Africa may have adequately fast and reliable Internet infrastructures that such sites might be available in those jurisdictions. There may well be others, too. I am not sure of the situation in India, but it strikes me that that country might also be a good location for an authority. My aim here is to harden the tor network against incapacitation by some future decision by one or two jurisdictions working in collusion to suspend tor operations by shutting down the authorities in their countries. If, say, no two jurisdictions working together could command a shutdown of the majority of authority servers, the tor network ought to be somewhat safer. Comments and discussion, particularly from current directory authority operators and developers, are hereby solicited. :-)
Scott Bennett, Comm. ASMELG, CFIAG ********************************************************************** * Internet: bennett at cs.niu.edu * *--------------------------------------------------------------------* * "A well regulated and disciplined militia, is at all times a good * * objection to the introduction of that bane of all free governments * * -- a standing army." * * -- Gov. John Hancock, New York Journal, 28 January 1790 * **********************************************************************