June 29, 2020 09:34
June 29, 2020 09:34
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In the Netherlands, a groundbreaking initiative is underway with the development of Tribler, a fully decentralized torrent client that operates without central servers, rendering it impervious to state-imposed sanctions. Users can search for downloadable files directly within the application, which organizes content into channels, the most notable of which is dedicated to the Russian tracker RuTracker.
At the forefront of this innovative project is Professor Johan Pouwelse from Delft University of Technology. His vision was to create a file-sharing platform resilient to external pressures, a goal achieved through complete decentralization—an aspect largely absent in most contemporary torrent systems. In a conversation with TorrentFreak, Pouwelse acknowledged that while there is a theoretical way to incapacitate Tribler, it would require disconnecting the entire internet.
How Tribler Works
Tribler is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android, and is distributed with open-source code. Developers have made it accessible on GitHub, a Microsoft-owned platform. Its operational mechanics bear resemblance to the once-popular eDonkey application, allowing users not only to download files like in uTorrent but also to search for them. Since its inception in 2006, Tribler has evolved, with version 7.5.1 released on June 25, 2020.
The absence of central servers eliminates the risk of blocking, as information retrieval occurs without reliance on indexing sites. This decentralized approach ensures that the Tribler network persists as long as at least one user remains connected. Furthermore, as envisioned by Pouwelse, the system operates without moderators, effectively removing censorship. Even he lacks the authority to delete content. However, a degree of content filtering is present, driven by user ratings that can diminish the visibility of torrents containing malware or misinformation.
Maximum Anonymity
Decentralization is a core principle of Tribler, contributing to the network’s stability. User security is further enhanced by an integrated anonymizing network, introduced in September 2014. This feature, akin to Tor, was initially launched in open testing with version 6.3.1, allowing users to share a single 50 MB test file. By October 2014, developers removed all limitations, unleashing the full potential of this functionality.
While these advanced security features bolster user privacy, they can also impact the tracker’s performance. Due to its decentralized nature, Tribler may experience slower startup times compared to uTorrent, as it must query all currently connected users’ computers. Additionally, download and upload speeds may be lower than those of centralized torrent clients.
Popular Channels
The Tribler network is organized into channels, facilitating easier information retrieval. As of June 2020, the most popular channel was RuTracker unofficial, boasting over 2 million torrents. This channel is directly associated with the well-known Russian torrent tracker RuTracker, which has been permanently blocked in Russia since November 2015, following a ruling by the Moscow City Court.
Despite its ban, RuTracker unofficial remains accessible to Russian users of Tribler without restrictions. Other channels named after popular piracy sites, such as YIFY, MVGroup, and EZTV, also attract significant attention, along with the NYAA torrent channel, which hosts over 60,000 files.
These channels will continue to exist as long as users actively share content. They operate independently of the original torrent trackers they are named after, meaning that even if RuTracker ceases to function, the RuTracker unofficial channel will persist, along with access to its torrents.
Interestingly, nearly five years after RuTracker’s permanent blocking, the site, formerly known as Torrents.ru, continues to operate. In November 2018, CNews reported that it launched a unique service to circumvent blocks, enabling users to create personal, fully functional copies of the tracker.
