Executive Summary

• Hardware attestation is a technology that enables monopolies by restricting user freedom
• It threatens the future of general-purpose computing and private communication
• The use of authorized silicon and software is a major concern for digital rights

The Internet’s Verdict: 70% Hyped, 30% Skeptical

Introduction to Hardware Attestation

Hardware attestation is a technology that allows devices to verify their identity and ensure they are running authorized software.

The Concerns

However, this technology has raised concerns among experts and users alike. As one expert notes:

Remote attestation will be how our computing freedom dies. They’ve made it so that it doesn’t even matter if they allow you to install whatever you want. Anything that isn’t corporate owned is banned.

Another expert points out the lack of privacy in current attestation systems:

They do not use zero knowledge proof systems or blind signatures. So every time you use your device to attest you leave behind something that can be used to link the action to your device.

The Impact on General-Purpose Computing

The rise of hardware attestation and trusted computing has significant implications for the future of general-purpose computing.

As one expert notes, the freedom to build and run what we want is under attack:

General purpose computing and private, direct communication are things too powerful for a tyrant to permit the people to have.

Focus Keyword: Hardware Attestation