MakerDAO, a trailblazer in the realm of decentralized finance, has become a target of criticism due to its controversial move to bar virtual private network (VPN) users from accessing its newly launched lending platform, Spark Protocol.
MakerDAO Spark Protocol Under Fire for Excluding VPN Users
As of the latest update, users attempting to access the Spark Protocol website through VPNs encounter an error message stating, “Accessing this website via VPN is not allowed.” The decision seems to be a part of Maker’s efforts to restrict users from the United States from utilizing the crypto lending platform. A May 9 update to Spark Protocol’s terms of service explicitly warns against using VPNs to circumvent this restriction.
The move has not only affected U.S. users but has also sparked a global backlash. DeFi analyst Chris Blec expressed his strong disapproval in an August 6 tweet, stating that he was “disgusted” with the decision, highlighting that it effectively amounts to a blanket ban on VPNs for users worldwide, regardless of their location.
Blec further condemned the move, arguing that it constitutes an “actual war on privacy,” as VPNs are commonly used by individuals seeking to protect their online privacy and security. Cointelegraph has attempted to reach out to MakerDAO for a response, but no immediate reply has been received as of yet.
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