This is a very important topic for all users that want to take their privacy to another level. Apart from OBSF4 and MEEK upgrade, upcoming Stealth Address is something that will allow you to create another level of protection for your transaction. I will try to explain the pure concept of stealth addresses and why you, as a user, should see it as a benefit.
What are stealth addresses?
For some reason, you want to hide your wallet and you don't want anyone to know that you sent or received some $ONIONs. Stealth addresses make that possible and let me explain how. Stealth address is stored in transaction information in order to determine who will own the $ONIONs once they have been sent. If anyone observes the blockchain to identify the transaction or participants, he will not be able to see either wallet addresses or transaction information. The address receiving or sending the $ONIONs will not be revealed, not even when the transaction is made, which is the crucial power of the stealth address. Others can see the transaction has been made, but they can not connect it to your wallet or the other participant.
How do they work?
Users need to create a new address for this purpose. This address contains their information and some additional information in order to create some sort of “private key” that will be used the purpose of the transaction. The keys can be seen in the blockchain, but no one can see which information is stored in it and that it contains transaction info.
Stealth address than distributes $ONIONs in different locations in order to prevent tracking. The information about the destination is contained, so no one else can receive $ONIONs if they don't have the “private key”. This way, no wallet addresses are revealed, and no one else can receive the payment since this new addresses are unique.
Why should you care?
Well, I have already mentioned – you have an additional layer of security providing anonymity at whole other level. This can benefit you in many ways and preserve your data.
What are DeepOnion plans concerning stealth address?
Well, we know that it is in progress. The details are not known, but we expect some info soon. DeepProtocol will be the name used for this purpose and you should know this because it is NOT the same as DeepSend feature. DeepSend is a lot more complex anonymity feature that is coming also.
If you are not familiar with the project, visit us at https://deeponion.org/.
Hope I have managed to help you in any way.
Cheers!