Anonabox removed from Kickstarter as fraudulent

Over the weekend, Kickstarter suspended Anonabox, a project aimed at creating a wireless router with an embedded version of the Tor software. Kickstarter hasn't revealed why the project is no longer allowed to accept funding. However, the news arrives after many questions arose regarding the originality of the device late last week.

The Anonabox was created by August Germar of Chico, California. The idea was simple: create a 2-port wireless router with the Tor software embedded. Thus, you connect one Ethernet port to the broadband modem's WAN out and the other Ethernet port to a router's WAN in. This would allow all wired and wireless device traffic to pass though the anonymizing software before jumping onto the Internet. That's also just one way consumers could use the Anonabox.

Unfortunately, Anonabox wasn't built from scratch as the Kickstarter project led the public to believe. The Anonabox instead used a stock motherboard and case from Chinese supplier Gainstrong, which can be purchased through Ali Express. This device supposedly can be ordered without the full USB port, which, when intact, allows users to share media and files stored on a flash drive.

According to Kickstarter, a project will be suspended if the creator tries to pass off someone else's creation as his/her own. The account will also suspend funding if there is misrepresentation of support and/or failure to disclose relevant facts about the project and/or its creator. The company indicates that once a Kickstarter project has been suspended, there's no way it can be undone.

Ben_Reilly wrote:I swear, sometimes I think you only exist to defy my premises ...

Just kidding, you're good dude