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Topic: [ANN] Pink: Escort startup Series A share sale - page 7. (Read 3873 times)

jr. member
Activity: 112
Merit: 2
I read the first line and thought this must just be a joke then again it is the oldest profession in the world, how it would work with bitcoin however is another matter.
full member
Activity: 486
Merit: 101
First post ever on the ol' bitcointalk forums here.  Long time lurker though looking for something innovative.  Have been binge-watching Criminal Minds on Netflix recently and have come across something that correlates to this on Season 9, Ep. 12.  Basically an escort service with the option to pay in bitcoin was part of the episode.  I see you ha e outlined  your security roadmap/plan of attack rather well. The use of ram based servers and Tor gates, while not new, is an extremely effective, yet cumbersome form of data storage/processing.  Basically what my entire point of posting this is what if something were to happen?  What if, after all the background checks for a particular escort or client came back clean, something were to develop such as a serial killer using only YOUR service to facilitate his acts of violence. How would they be stopped?  How could they even be tracked?  Saw the episode and immediately thought of this coin.  Don't take this as FUDing as I feel like this is a reasonable question to ask
  One that I don't think has been discussed yet as its more of a "worst case" scenario type thing.  Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing more updates on this peoject.!

Haha! I like you, you should stick around. Very interesting point though, with so much focusing on anonymity, could it be too much?
full member
Activity: 476
Merit: 100
Will you invite more advisors to your team?
newbie
Activity: 61
Merit: 0
First post ever on the ol' bitcointalk forums here.  Long time lurker though looking for something innovative.  Have been binge-watching Criminal Minds on Netflix recently and have come across something that correlates to this on Season 9, Ep. 12.  Basically an escort service with the option to pay in bitcoin was part of the episode.  I see you ha e outlined  your security roadmap/plan of attack rather well. The use of ram based servers and Tor gates, while not new, is an extremely effective, yet cumbersome form of data storage/processing.  Basically what my entire point of posting this is what if something were to happen?  What if, after all the background checks for a particular escort or client came back clean, something were to develop such as a serial killer using only YOUR service to facilitate his acts of violence. How would they be stopped?  How could they even be tracked?  Saw the episode and immediately thought of this coin.  Don't take this as FUDing as I feel like this is a reasonable question to ask
  One that I don't think has been discussed yet as its more of a "worst case" scenario type thing.  Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing more updates on this peoject.!

Well you can come up with these made-for-TV dramatic ideas for any service. What about an AirBnB killer that only goes after places he's already stayed?

Pink is a terrible service for a would-be killer to use. Clients undergo screening through our system, plus additional screening providers may require. There would be a record of each use, at least for a while (we will delete old records). If a provider does not check in after a date, we alert their emergency contacts, and there will be a record in our system of a missing checkin.

And if the attacker is going to follow up with people after a date, then there's no point in using Pink anyways.


Good enough for me.  Literally finished watching the episode and saw this on the ANN page and had to at least ask.  Thanks!  Will be watching this project to see where it goes  Smiley
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
First post ever on the ol' bitcointalk forums here.  Long time lurker though looking for something innovative.  Have been binge-watching Criminal Minds on Netflix recently and have come across something that correlates to this on Season 9, Ep. 12.  Basically an escort service with the option to pay in bitcoin was part of the episode.  I see you ha e outlined  your security roadmap/plan of attack rather well. The use of ram based servers and Tor gates, while not new, is an extremely effective, yet cumbersome form of data storage/processing.  Basically what my entire point of posting this is what if something were to happen?  What if, after all the background checks for a particular escort or client came back clean, something were to develop such as a serial killer using only YOUR service to facilitate his acts of violence. How would they be stopped?  How could they even be tracked?  Saw the episode and immediately thought of this coin.  Don't take this as FUDing as I feel like this is a reasonable question to ask
  One that I don't think has been discussed yet as its more of a "worst case" scenario type thing.  Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing more updates on this peoject.!

Well you can come up with these made-for-TV dramatic ideas for any service. What about an AirBnB killer that only goes after places he's already stayed?

Pink is a terrible service for a would-be killer to use. Clients undergo screening through our system, plus additional screening providers may require. There would be a record of each use, at least for a while (we will delete old records). If a provider does not check in after a date, we alert their emergency contacts, and there will be a record in our system of a missing checkin.

And if the attacker is going to follow up with people after a date, then there's no point in using Pink anyways.
full member
Activity: 378
Merit: 100
We really should stop disparaging users of such services, or the people that would sell their services through the app. They've used technology before, they can handle learning a new tech process if it's for their good.

A lot of clients or non-clients simply have no clue what they are talking about. Many providers are absolutely top-notch professionals. Sex work is work and is a lot more than just sex. People, especially guys, think hey, have sex, get paid, easy! In reality it's running your own brand, marketing, screening customers, maintaining secrecy. Dumb providers do not do well.

Providers as a group will have a far easier time installing an APK than the general population. It's not a hard task at all.

Last time I installed an .APK it was like 2 clicks. Anyone who runs Android should have no problem with it.
member
Activity: 70
Merit: 10
Is there any other ICO with Pink in its name?

There is Pinkcoin: https://pinkbuffaloz.com/

They have a pretty interesting blog post about their booth at BlockCon 2017, did you guys go?

We're looking a few upcoming conferences but nothing solid yet.


Which one are you guys most hoping for? I went to Blockchain Life 2017 and learned so much.
newbie
Activity: 61
Merit: 0
First post ever on the ol' bitcointalk forums here.  Long time lurker though looking for something innovative.  Have been binge-watching Criminal Minds on Netflix recently and have come across something that correlates to this on Season 9, Ep. 12.  Basically an escort service with the option to pay in bitcoin was part of the episode.  I see you ha e outlined  your security roadmap/plan of attack rather well. The use of ram based servers and Tor gates, while not new, is an extremely effective, yet cumbersome form of data storage/processing.  Basically what my entire point of posting this is what if something were to happen?  What if, after all the background checks for a particular escort or client came back clean, something were to develop such as a serial killer using only YOUR service to facilitate his acts of violence. How would they be stopped?  How could they even be tracked?  Saw the episode and immediately thought of this coin.  Don't take this as FUDing as I feel like this is a reasonable question to ask
  One that I don't think has been discussed yet as its more of a "worst case" scenario type thing.  Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing more updates on this peoject.!
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
That's actually pretty impressive. I didn't know RAM based servers were even a thing.

They aren't used because they are a pain in the ass. The trade off is not worth it for most enterprises. But if your threat model includes attackers physically raiding your datacenter then it makes sense.
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
Is there any other ICO with Pink in its name?

There is Pinkcoin: https://pinkbuffaloz.com/

They have a pretty interesting blog post about their booth at BlockCon 2017, did you guys go?

We're looking a few upcoming conferences but nothing solid yet.
sr. member
Activity: 619
Merit: 251
WPP ENERGY - BACKED ASSET GREEN ENERGY TOKEN
This seems similar to the whole AshleyMadison fiasco, but with a much bigger focus on anonymity. So their problem was their database was hacked and everyones information leaked, how have you learned from that disaster and how will you approach data security? Using crypto probably eliminates the need for real names altogether right?

AM's security was amateur hour. Ours is not even in the same game. Read our article here: https://medium.com/@PinkApp/pink-app-trading-latency-for-anonymity-and-other-techniques-815ee21c6da4 Then tell me how an AM style exfiltration would work. There will be only 3 active people with server access (plus contingency system, but that will be publicly visible action).

TL;DR: Servers are pure RAM-based, no disks. Encrypted backups. Intrusion detection->auto shutdown. No routable IP, only Tor access for hidden service. Database is 2 Hidden Services deep, so it's Web Gateway->Tor HS1 (Web Server)->Tor HS2(data gateway)->DB.

Data access is gated by a cryptographic token unique to each user and rate limited. So even if you got network access on the app server, you would have to compromise user logins to submit data requests (no direct SQL).

This architecture is a bit of a pain to manage. It is not as uptime-friendly; if something goes wrong, we have to restore from backup. No internet access is tough, it means we have to create a change management request, audit it, then create a new container and deploy. But the security benefits are unrivaled.


That's actually pretty impressive. I didn't know RAM based servers were even a thing.
full member
Activity: 378
Merit: 100
This is hilarious  Grin Grin Grin

How many escorts know how to tie their shoes much less download, install and secure a wallet?

Or you want the pimps to do it for them Lawl! Or are we supposed to be the pimps since we invested in the system? I can see it now... Some big dude busting in the door because his computer gets a fatal exception error every time he tries to open the wallet, demanding his hard-earned money.

Clearly you have zero idea of any work that's involved in being an escort. Your ignorance is overwhelming.

I wouldn't worry too much about what the trolls/kids think.
member
Activity: 70
Merit: 10
Is there any other ICO with Pink in its name?

There is Pinkcoin: https://pinkbuffaloz.com/

They have a pretty interesting blog post about their booth at BlockCon 2017, did you guys go?
newbie
Activity: 9
Merit: 0
We've got some videos from providers in support of our product. Check them out here:

https://vimeo.com/238137997

https://vimeo.com/238114413

https://vimeo.com/238113796
newbie
Activity: 9
Merit: 0
This is hilarious  Grin Grin Grin

How many escorts know how to tie their shoes much less download, install and secure a wallet?

Or you want the pimps to do it for them Lawl! Or are we supposed to be the pimps since we invested in the system? I can see it now... Some big dude busting in the door because his computer gets a fatal exception error every time he tries to open the wallet, demanding his hard-earned money.

Clearly you have zero idea of any work that's involved in being an escort. Your ignorance is overwhelming.
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
How many people work on this project part time or full time?
At this point, approximately 10. I won't be more precise due to opsec concerns. We're mostly transparent, but about the actual people involved, every bit of obscurity helps maintain operational security.
full member
Activity: 230
Merit: 101
How many people work on this project part time or full time?
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
Or VP of Product, Sarah Stevens, did an interview with the International Business Times: http://www.ibtimes.com/beyond-bitcoin-blockchain-tokens-sex-industry-2601252
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
Sarah wrote a new article that explains some issues in escorting. Why is it hard work, and how can Pink help?

Read to find out: Challenges in the Business of Pleasure: https://medium.com/@PinkApp/challenges-in-the-business-of-pleasure-d22e9ec03b75
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
Hmm. "Servers are pure RAM-based, no disks." And where whole system will be stored at? Random shutdown or reboot of server will cause in devastating of data. This isnt acceptable both for customers and girls. All personal data will be destroyed, and you have to do backups every hour or even more often with service growth.
OP you disappointing me, first when i've quickly read your tech papers on medium, I've thought "that seems flawless", but then i've read this about RAM storage, and about two TOR gates within your system.
Did you know, that TOR cannot provide an acceptable bandwidth for a service like yours? Especially when there is two tor gates in the network.
So, your security/storage plan is not flawless, moreover it's vulnerable and way too complicated in service.
And i've found strange thing. How it could be truth that for 11 days of your ICO you've collected $400k and after creating bitcointalk thread you've stuck on 700 for days? Where was your main marketing campaign?

Differential backups every few minutes or less. Basically stream the database log to encrypted backup. This is not hard. It is not something we invented. It is a very common approach for RDBMS.

If the server is breached or otherwise fails (random failures are scary - why is it random?) then we have to restart and restore. This is intentional. It provides the best security guarantees. Drop by our Slack and chat if you're not convinced. RDBMS data is small and restores quickly. Bigger data (photos) can be streamed from encrypted storage and does not delay restore.

Hosting via physical servers, not in Pink's name. This makes imaging them a very difficult task. Unlike VPSes which are easily imaged, including RAM.

Who claims things are flawless? I am not claiming our plan is flawless. I am saying it is vastly superior design and hard to improve without having a nation-state willing to back you legally. If you have particular criticisms, I want to hear them, please!

It is very common in ICOs to have a distribution heavily weighted to early and/or big players. Pink talked to people well before the domain was even registered. We have news articles in some huge mainstream tech and business sites coming out soon, plus some independent journalists. Sign up on https://seriesa.pinkapp.io to get updates - we have an update message coming out in the next 16 hours.

Tor will work fine. Aggressive prefetch and caching (encrypted to user access token) means few requests need to go all the way to the database. Plus we have some tricks up our sleeves to reduce latency. It is a challenge, but one we have figured out and feel very comfortable with.
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