Privacy Features
Routstr is designed with privacy as a core principle. This guide explains the privacy features built into the platform and how to use them effectively.
Privacy-First Architecture
Routstr’s architecture is designed to minimize data collection and maximize user control:
- No User Accounts: No email, phone number, or personal information required
- No Request Logging: Your prompts and completions are not stored by Routstr
- Decentralized Network: No central authority controls the entire system
- Private Payments: Use Lightning Network or Cashu tokens for anonymous payments
Privacy-Enhancing Technologies
Tor Integration
Routstr includes built-in support for routing requests through the Tor network:
# Add Tor routing to your API requests
curl --socks5-hostname 127.0.0.1:9050 -X POST https://api.routstr.com/v1/chat/completions \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer cashuA1DkpMbgQ9VkL6U..." \
-d '{
"model": "gpt-4",
"messages": [
{
"role": "user",
"content": "Hello"
}
]
}'
This prevents providers from seeing your real IP address and adds an additional layer of network privacy.
SOCKS5 Proxy Support
For more flexibility, you can use any SOCKS5 proxy:
# Using a custom SOCKS5 proxy
curl --socks5-hostname your-proxy-server:1080 -X POST https://api.routstr.com/v1/chat/completions \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer cashuA1DkpMbgQ9VkL6U..." \
-d '{
"model": "gpt-4",
"messages": [
{
"role": "user",
"content": "Hello"
}
]
}'
Anonymous Payments
Cashu Token Payments
Cashu is an anonymous ecash system that provides complete payment privacy:
- Mint Cashu tokens using your wallet over the Lightning Network
- No personal information is required to mint tokens
- Tokens are bearer instruments - whoever has the token can use it
- Spend tokens directly for API access without revealing identity
Lightning Network Privacy
When using Lightning Network payments, you can enhance privacy by:
- Using a privacy-focused Lightning wallet
- Generating new payment codes for each transaction
- Using a Lightning Address from a privacy-focused provider
Best Practices for Privacy
- Use Tor or a trusted VPN/proxy for all Routstr connections
- Pay with Cashu tokens for maximum payment privacy
- Avoid including personal information in prompts
- Use privacy-focused providers when available
- Regularly rotate payment information for improved privacy
Self-Hosting for Maximum Privacy
For maximum privacy, you can:
- Self-host a Routstr proxy: Run your own proxy to avoid third-party access
- Connect to trusted providers: Choose providers with strong privacy policies
- Use your own Lightning node: Process payments through your own node
# Run your own Routstr proxy
docker run -p 8000:8000 \
--env-file .env \
ghcr.io/routstr/proxy
Technical Privacy Protections
Routstr implements several technical privacy protections:
- End-to-end TLS: All API connections use TLS encryption
- Token-based authentication: No persistent user identifiers
- Minimal metadata: Limited metadata collection in requests
- Circuit-breaking: Prevent provider identity correlation
Next Steps
Responses are generated using AI and may contain mistakes.