Yes there are concerns. The cost to switch to other relays is near-zero but not zero.
It is expected that some relays may become “popular” amongst communities.
It is expected that adhoc backup/restore/mirror services for individual users will emerge over time.
Nevertheless, users remain in power when switching from one relay to the next or to connect to relays they want, so one relay cannot hold anyone truly hostage.
Unrelated but I like to bring it up:
Sending your messages to multiple relays (5-10) and keeping your own copy of your own events (and those you follow) or running your own relay provides you with increasingly better protection.
The option to run your own relay ensures you always have a voice. If anyone is interested in what you have to say they can just connect to your relay, akin to users freely navigating to your personal Web page or portfolio.
Cameri /
npub1qq…0n47m
2022-12-31 17:36:52
in reply to nevent1q…0l62
Author Public Key
npub1qqqqqqyz0la2jjl752yv8h7wgs3v098mh9nztd4nr6gynaef6uqqt0n47mPublished at
2022-12-31 17:36:52Event JSON
{
"id": "38bb18879a078c81b3de9126081d3ee555a113139c9453da1e21b6ad3f93c7a5",
"pubkey": "00000000827ffaa94bfea288c3dfce4422c794fbb96625b6b31e9049f729d700",
"created_at": 1672508212,
"kind": 1,
"tags": [
[
"e",
"8909e9d34e64abd8969416eaeb7057a86843c78d21866d87e1cab9216fbfdc53"
],
[
"e",
"bde0576e5806987f3ee92402f02ff449ad43c9137afd67bf62f92f417c987d1d"
],
[
"p",
"32e1827635450ebb3c5a7d12c1f8e7b2b514439ac10a67eef3d9fd9c5c68e245"
],
[
"p",
"dedf91f5c5eee3f3864eec34b28fc99c6a8cc44b250888ccf4d0d8d854f48d54"
],
[
"p",
"b708f7392f588406212c3882e7b3bc0d9b08d62f95fa170d099127ece2770e5e"
],
[
"p",
"a0fcf194af4bc264ac53741eb5b0d14c5a5203ede0c62697be304b6d2ad58608"
]
],
"content": "Yes there are concerns. The cost to switch to other relays is near-zero but not zero.\nIt is expected that some relays may become “popular” amongst communities.\nIt is expected that adhoc backup/restore/mirror services for individual users will emerge over time.\nNevertheless, users remain in power when switching from one relay to the next or to connect to relays they want, so one relay cannot hold anyone truly hostage.\n\nUnrelated but I like to bring it up:\n\nSending your messages to multiple relays (5-10) and keeping your own copy of your own events (and those you follow) or running your own relay provides you with increasingly better protection.\n\nThe option to run your own relay ensures you always have a voice. If anyone is interested in what you have to say they can just connect to your relay, akin to users freely navigating to your personal Web page or portfolio.",
"sig": "ead4bec442d9e709e230b2c40fba712cd286646ef81d17f609b44a9750e906c19479d5753929fd88cdbaad098e0d07259ee8e4d494e0b8eae9a0e17b221b4c1b"
}