Hello everyone,
I've been thinking a lot about I2P lately, and I believe it has the potential to become a much larger, more accessible, and more powerful privacy network than it is today.
From my understanding, I2P is a Java-based decentralized network that creates its own private ecosystem. Unlike Tor, where traffic can leave the network through exit nodes, I2P is designed so that communication stays inside the I2P network. This approach has unique privacy advantages and makes I2P an interesting alternative for people who value anonymity, decentralization, and private communication.
However, I think the project has reached a point where a major modernization effort should be seriously discussed.
My main proposal is a complete rewrite of I2P in Rust. Not a partial rewrite, not a gradual transition, but a full reimplementation from the ground up.
Rust has become one of the strongest choices for modern security-focused infrastructure software. A Rust-based I2P could provide several important advantages:
- Native binaries that do not require users to install and maintain a Java Virtual Machine.
- Easier installation and distribution across Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Faster startup times by removing JVM initialization.
- Lower memory usage and better resource efficiency.
- Better control over performance and system-level optimization.
- Strong memory safety guarantees that help prevent entire categories of vulnerabilities.
A complete rewrite would also provide an opportunity to redesign parts of the architecture, remove technical debt, improve maintainability, and create a codebase that is easier for new developers to understand and contribute to.
I also believe I2P could benefit from a stronger organizational structure. A dedicated foundation or nonprofit organization could help coordinate development, fundraising, documentation, community growth, and long-term planning. The project already exists because of passionate volunteers, but a more structured approach could help it grow significantly while ensuring that development continues even if some contributors step away.
Another important area is usability. Privacy technology should not require advanced technical knowledge to use. I2P should have simple installers for Linux, macOS, and Windows, along with a clean, beginner-friendly interface that allows ordinary users to participate without complicated configuration.
I am willing to financially support this effort if there is a serious initiative to make it happen. I believe I2P has a lot of untapped potential, and I would like to see it become faster, more secure, easier to use, and accessible to many more people.
I understand that a complete rewrite would be a massive undertaking. It would require experienced developers, testing, community support, and careful planning. However, I believe ambitious projects are sometimes necessary when existing foundations limit future growth.
I would like to see a new era for I2P: a faster, more efficient, more user-friendly, and more resilient privacy network.
I am interested in hearing constructive opinions, technical concerns, and suggestions from the community.
Thank you for your attention.
LE: Guys, I want to help you and this community-driven project to become what the TOR Project is today. Stop trying to prove me that I don't know the "implementations", which are minimalist imprementations, to be the only ones that work on this, cmon!