Support HTTP/ HTTPS traffic over Tribler network

[teddyrogers]

Tribler 8.0.7, this is a request for an unsupported feature. As Tribler (now) uses a Web GUI I think it makes a little more sense to consider allowing Tribler to be able to send and receive HTTP/ HTTPS (general TCP/IP) traffic over/ through the Tribler network. The change would make opening and using Tribler within a web browser a more complete and rounded solution. At the moment if we want to continue operating in anonymous environment it means using another solution e.g. TOR to access and retrieve content for Tribler to function.

Aware this would require some changes within the network and for exit nodes to support the feature.

[qstokkink]

We've considered this in the past and we think it's cool, but long story short: our legal team advised against this. We'd rather not run the risk of getting our project completely defunded. Ensuring that Tribler remains a funded scientific project, is the main way that we can deliver an ad-free experience for you.

[teddyrogers]

@qstokkink my interest and curiosity has been piqued...

our legal team advised against this. We'd rather not run the risk of getting our project completely defunded.

...how is this any better or worse than torrent'ing or having a torrent search engine in-built in to the Tribler network?

[qstokkink]

IIRC, the main difference is that the content on web addresses can be more than files: it also includes arbitrary services. We very much DO NOT want to become a drug trafficking and hitman service platform. Any move in that direction has been marked as an existential risk for our project.

[teddyrogers]

@qstokkink

drug trafficking and hitman service platform

I thought those kind of things are predominantly found on one of the "Dark Web" services.

The feature request is to access clear web sites, such as GitHub, as any regular clear web browser.

[qstokkink]

Exactly, and, I understand. However, the issue is that we can't distinguish between the two types of usage, "clear" and "dark". Even if we add some massive list of whitelisted URLs with "clear" web sites, it would be laughably easy to undermine and misuse. That said, even if we think we have a solid technical solution for that issue, we still wouldn't risk our project's very existence.