Please describe your proposed solution
Context and Overview: Collaboration tools like Mentimeter have become popular for gathering feedback and opinions through polls, votes, and surveys without requiring user login. However, this approach has limitations: while anonymity is maintained, the lack of rule enforcement allows participants to manipulate results, undermining the integrity of the platform. This reliance on a centralized authority raises concerns about data privacy and security, highlighting the need for a solution that balances anonymity with effective rule enforcement.
Solving the Problem with Zero-Knowledge Technology: To address the issues of anonymity and rule enforcement, we propose using zero-knowledge technology to maintain user privacy while enabling robust rule enforcement across three main features: polling, voting, and surveying. Our platform will allow participants to engage in these activities without revealing their identities, while still adhering to rules set by the host, such as one vote per person or specific access controls.
Polling will be the first feature developed, allowing participants to select from multiple options while ensuring each participant can only vote once. This will be followed by the voting feature, where more complex rule enforcement will be applied, such as weighting votes or limiting specific actions based on predefined criteria. Finally, the surveying feature will include not only rule enforcement but also moderation tools, allowing hosts to filter and manage responses to ensure a productive and respectful environment.
Additionally, our solution will be provided as a decentralized application (DApp) with an interactive user interface (UI) that enables participants to perform various actions easily. The platform will utilize a reactive database to maintain real-time interactivity throughout the application, ensuring a seamless and responsive user experience.
Flexibility Between Testnet and Mainnet: Our solution is flexible and can operate on both testnet and mainnet. For non-critical data storage and testing purposes, the testnet can be used to reduce operational costs. However, when storing critical information or results is essential, the mainnet provides a secure and permanent solution. This flexibility ensures that the platform remains cost-effective while meeting diverse use case requirements.
Prototype Features: For the prototype, we will incorporate three main features
- Polling – Participants can vote on predefined options anonymously, with rules such as one vote per person enforced through zero-knowledge proofs.
- Voting – More complex voting mechanisms will be implemented, allowing for rule enforcement like vote weighting and specific action limitations.
- Surveying – Participants can submit responses to open-ended questions. Moderation tools will allow hosts to manage inappropriate comments, ensuring a respectful environment.
Rule Enforcement: Through this solution, we will enforce specific rules such as
- Who can perform certain actions (e.g., voting, submitting responses).
- How many times a participant can interact with the platform.
- Moderation capabilities for the host to manage and remove inappropriate comments during surveys.
By leveraging zero-knowledge technology, our platform will provide the anonymity participants desire, while ensuring rules are enforced, preventing exploitation, and maintaining the integrity of the collaboration process.
Community Updates and Blogs: We will provide regular updates through blogs, forums, and social media to keep the community informed about our progress, key milestones, and how our project benefits users and developers. These updates will foster engagement, provide insights into the platform’s features, and demonstrate how users can take advantage of the anonymity and rule enforcement capabilities enabled by zero-knowledge proofs.