I think that we have proof all around us on why an optional privacy in blockchain tech isn't much of a smart move.
Recently, privacy coins have been in the spotlight with crypto users engaged in intense debate on privacy concerns.
One thing that stood out for me was the mention of optional privacy.
Some people believe that giving users a choice on whether or not they want private transactions is the way to go, effectively suggesting that Monero has it all wrong.
Judging by what's mostly showed up on my feed, Zcash is the best privacy coin as it offers a choice. Dash also offers that but people having largely only wanted to compare Zcash and Monero.
Most transactions on Zcash today aren't private. People outside looking in might think that people simply did want their TXs public but it's probably a case of convenience and other times, probably didn't get to choose how they moved their assets by the platforms they interact with.
This reality exposes a flaw in the design of optional privacy for blockchains.
It puts decisions in the hands of app developers, building the frontends we interact with.
Having built-in privacy means that irrespective of where one is transacting from, they can keep their financial transactions private.
Monero’s default privacy is the smarter move in my opinion. People are simply fixated on the wrong things. They believe that not taking the default route means giving users options but it's mostly leaving the very same users vulnerable.
With Monero, anyone can still make their transactions or holdings public. The choice to be able to expose TXs at will is much better than being able to choose from the beginning if TXs should be private.
Beyond these popular names, as privacy becomes increasingly debated and a top development focus, it's crucial that we understand the importance of a design that more perfectly combats the potential threat of relying on centralized projects, businesses or protocols to enforce privacy.
This is the way to go and why Monero will remain ahead despite what many may try to say about it.
