kildeIP

KildeIP is a software framework and protocol designed to provide privacy-preserving, provenance-aware addressing and routing in distributed networks. It aims to decouple traditional IP addressing from user identity while enabling verifiable source provenance for messages.

At its core, kildeIP offers cryptographic identity management, decoupled addressing, and optional anonymization layers. It employs public-key cryptography for node authentication and uses privacy-enhancing routing techniques inspired by onion routing and mix networks to obscure traffic patterns. The system supports configurable policies for data provenance, allowing operators to attach attestable provenance information to packets without exposing sensitive payload data.

Development and adoption of kildeIP began in the early 2020s within research and hobbyist communities. Several open-source implementations exist, ranging from experimental testbeds to enterprise-ready platforms. Governance is typically community-driven and emphasizes interoperability through open standards and reference implementations.

Common use cases include privacy-preserving peer-to-peer communications, censorship-resistant access to services, secure Internet of Things networks, and supply-chain provenance for digital assets. KildeIP can also support confidential data sharing where routing provenance is important for trust.

Critiques focus on performance overhead, increased architectural complexity, and potential compatibility challenges with existing Internet infrastructure. Security depends on correct configuration and ongoing updates; acute concerns include regulatory compliance and potential misuse for evading surveillance. Proponents emphasize that kildeIP is an optional layer that can coexist with conventional IP networks and that broader standardization is key to broader adoption.