Addressing community concerns and objections regarding my recent proposal to relax Bitcoin Core's standardness limits on OP_RETURN outputs

The email seeks clarification on recent discussions regarding the potential misuse of blockchain technology, specifically focusing on the embedding of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) within a single transaction using op_return with a capacity of 100,000 bytes. This method purportedly allows for the uploading and visualization of clear, single JPEG images directly on the blockchain, contrasting with previous instances where data embedded across multiple transactions was more challenging to reconstruct.

The sender outlines two main areas of concern and inquiry. The first is the debate over the ease of visualizing these CSAM images once they are embedded in the blockchain. While some argue that extracting and viewing these images is straightforward—requiring only the saving of hex-formatted byte data as a file and opening it with an image viewer—others believe that specialized, sophisticated tools are necessary to visualize the content. This discrepancy has led to confusion among stakeholders about the true accessibility and visibility of such content.

The second area of concern revolves around the legal defenses available to individuals or entities if this method of embedding CSAM is exploited. When CSAM is fragmented across multiple transactions, those involved have found it easier to claim ignorance and defend themselves legally. However, the consolidation of CSAM into a single transaction complicates this defense, raising questions about the potential legal strategies that could be employed in such situations.

Furthermore, the email references a precedent set by BVS, another blockchain entity that previously increased its op_return limit to 100,000 bytes, resulting in the immediate upload of CSAM. This example prompts questions about whether similar activities will occur with Bitcoin and whether the community is underestimating the risk based on BVS’s experience.

In essence, the email is a request for clarification on these complex issues, indicating a broader community concern about the misuse of blockchain technology for harmful purposes and the need for clear, effective responses to mitigate these risks.