![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.cryptocabaret.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/gitcover-768x432.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
On October 23, the Microsoft-owned Github leveraged an ostensible DMCA takedown in order to remove 18 projects from the code-hosting portal. According to sources, the takedown stemmed from a request filed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Github\u2019s recent move has made the crypto community quite leery of the platform and some proponents are scared that cryptocurrency codebases like Bitcoin\u2019s can be taken down by government forces.<\/strong><\/p>\n This week the RIAA got the Microsoft-owned Github to remove a number of projects from the code-hosting portal. The code repositories removed stem from a project called the Youtube-dl protocol. The software is a Python library that allows people to download source files from the video-streaming platform Youtube.<\/p>\n Prior to the removal, the Python-library Youtube-dl had over 72,000 stars on the repository platform. Github published the reasons behind the DMCA takedown<\/a> but some people contested whether or not it was real. For instance, the legal director, John Bergmayer, claimed it \u201cisn\u2019t really a DMCA request.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see an assertion that Youtube-dl is an infringing work. Rather the claim is that it\u2019s illegal per se,\u201d Bergmayer wrote on Twitter<\/a>. In addition to Bergmayer\u2019s statements, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) also tweeted about Github complying with the RIAA.<\/p>\n \u201cYoutube-dl is a legitimate tool with a world of lawful uses,\u201d the EFF detailed. \u201cDemanding its removal from Github is a disappointing and counterproductive move by the RIAA.\u201d<\/p>\n Github\u2019s move has caused concern among many cryptocurrency advocates as a number of bitcoin proponents have been discussing the situation. On October 24, Sideshift.ai founder Andreas Brekken tweeted<\/a>: \u201cThe threat is real,\u201d after sharing a tweet Pierre Rochard wrote to his followers on September 9, 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cI would not be surprised if central banks pressure Github into delisting the bitcoin\/bitcoin repository,\u201d Rochard exclaimed<\/a> well over a month and a half ago. \u201cDevelopment work would go on, but it would be far slower and more decentralized,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Of course, after Github removed Youtube-dl, a number of other crypto advocates discussed the possibilities<\/a> of crypto repositories being removed and what types of alternatives are available. Software developer Chris Troutner replied to Brekken\u2019s threat tweet and explained<\/a> how he backs up his code.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why I mirror my GitHub repositories on IPFS. This is why I back up my YouTube videos on LBRY and IPFS.\u201d Others discussed using alternatives like Gitlab as the Youtube-dl project already has a back-up<\/a> on the code-hosting portal.<\/p>\n \u201cShame an open-source tool that does not use proprietary code get\u2019s a DMCA notice,\u201d tweeted<\/a> another individual. \u201cCode is not free if it\u2019s on Github.\u201d A few other crypto users suggested<\/a> that Filecoin devs<\/a> should \u201cshould focus on building a decentralized github.\u201d \u201cOpen source code is crucial and text is easy to compress and doesn\u2019t consume storage,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The Youtube-dl DMCA takedown, however, does not concern everyone and it follows the recent Arctic permafrost project Github participated in recently. According to Github, the Bitcoin codebase will be stored for 1,000 years<\/a> as Archivists etched the blockchain network\u2019s code on film reels and encased the codebase in a steel capsule.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to note that Git is a form of distribution and not a centralized protocol. Github is a centralized protocol and owned by Microsoft but the bitcoin\/bitcoin repository<\/a> can be mirrored at any time.<\/p>\n What do you think about bitcoiners concerns about Github\u2019s centralization? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The post Can Github Remove the Bitcoin Codebase? Recent Repository Takedown Has Proponents Worried<\/a> appeared first on Bitcoin News<\/a>.<\/p>\n