ZeroNet is a decentralizedInternet-like network of peer-to-peer users. It is based in Budapest, Hungary; is built in Python; and fully open source.[1] Sites have specific "ZeroNet URL"s which can be accessed through an ordinary webbrowser when using the ZeroNet application, which acts a local webhost for such pages.[1] ZeroNet is not anonymous by default, but users can hide their IP address by using the built in Tor-functionality.[1] ZeroNet uses bitcoincryptography and the BitTorrent network.[2][3][4] The BitTorrent website Play hosts a controversial magnet link repository on ZeroNet, which links to copyrighted content.[1] There is a Reddit community which offers support for ZeroNet.[1]
The existence of peer-to-peer online web-sites had been hypothesised for some time, with The Pirate Bay suggesting they would build a network, as well as BitTorrent Inc. which created the closed source Project Maelstrom.[1][5] One other similar project is the SAFE Network by MaidSafe, though it has not yet seen widespread use, and has been said to focus more on file storage.[5]
As of 2016[update] there is no way to take down a ZeroNet page which still has seeders,[1] thus making such pages immune to DMCA takedown notices.[6] In March 2016 it operated with a max-filesize per website of 10 megabytes, suitable for blogs, forums, and smaller torrent-sites.[5]
