> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hub.bsvblockchain.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hub.bsvblockchain.org/higher-learning/bsv-academy/bsv-theory/privacy/linking-the-owner.md). # Linking the Owner > The risk is that if the owner of a key is revealed, linking could reveal other transactions that belonged to the same owner. > > \- Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin Whitepaper ![](https://3421145409-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FRTEKu4E7Fvtss3GI9CYU%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-baa205ea65b006f3f8161acc581025d8d45b9c15%2FTheory%20-%20Privacy%20-%20Linking%20the%20Owner.gif?alt=media) If a user spends coins that it has received from third parties, or which were spent back to themselves as change, it becomes possible to trace some part of the chain of ownership back via the ledger. This risks exposing a user's financial activities to malicious parties who have an understanding of how to analyse the public ledger. Mitigation strategies include the use of separate transactions in instances where the many inputs are each spent in completely separate transactions, thereby avoiding the possibility of linking the user to a group of coins. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://hub.bsvblockchain.org/higher-learning/bsv-academy/bsv-theory/privacy/linking-the-owner.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.