The Opaque Practices of Ledger Live Threaten the Privacy of the Crypto World

Ledger Live, the companion application for the renowned Ledger hardware wallets, is in turmoil following the alarming revelations of a security expert. Its practices in terms of data collection and updates raise serious questions about the privacy of users in the crypto universe.

The meticulous tracking of every move

According to the findings of this ethical hacker, Ledger Live zealously tracks every action of its crypto users, with no possibility for them to opt out. Each time a Ledger wallet is connected, the application performs thorough checks, compiling accurate data on your usage habits, favored crypto assets, and apps. Such confidential information would undoubtedly feed lucrative marketing databases or even more sensitive files.

Updates with obscure and suspicious content

Yet, the most disturbing is yet to come. Indeed, the security specialist seriously questions the real necessity of the famed Ledger firmware updates. According to him, the brand could take advantage of these critical updates, whose content remains opaque, to covertly access the secrets of the hardware wallets, including the valuable private keys that enable spending your cryptos. He thus calls for users to exercise the utmost caution when installing these updates, as long as Ledger has not proved to be more transparent.

Is crypto data privacy negotiable?

This revelation comes at the worst possible time for Ledger, which has already been tarnished this year by a massive theft of customer data. It is a harsh reminder that in the still relatively unregulated Wild West of cryptocurrencies, caution must always be exercised. Even the most well-established brands may be tempted to succumb to the lure of profit and advertising tracking or sell user data.

So, should we massively desert Ledger and its competitors in favor of lesser-known but open-source wallets? Not necessarily. But increased vigilance and pressure from friends of the crypto world might force the company to reconsider its stance on transparency and data privacy. Because in the decentralized and libertarian universe of crypto, respect for the privacy of users should never be up for negotiation. Whistleblowers and ethical hackers are on the lookout.