TallyNetworks: Protecting Your Private Opinions with Edge-centric Computing

Identifier:  TFM:226

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM226

Authors:  Ruiz Rodríguez, Marc

Abstract:
Resum: In this work we claim that your private opinions cannot be controlled by a single centralized entity. In this direction, we present TallyNetworks, an edge-centric distributed overlay that aims to provide end-to-end verifiability of online opinions by leveraging the computing resources (TallyBoxes) of users and third-party organizations. This will (i) securely compute votes/opinions in a large group, (ii) guarantee privacy, integrity, robustness and verifiability, and (iii) ensure that opinions cannot be tampered with or censored in any way by third parties. Through blind signatures, pseudonyms and anonymous channels, it is possible to ensure that the edge nodes (TallyBoxes) are blind and guarantee anonymity and privacy. Thanks to a one-hop structured overlay and a global membership protocol using redundant broadcasting and syncing, we guarantee that messages reach all nodes in the network (integrity, robustness), and that vote information can be obtained and checked from different points (end-to-end verifiability). Some examples of this are user participation in open polls or rating (stars, like/dislike) services and persons in a community.