Thread by @SarahJamieLewis

It is 6:30 AM in Vancouver and not my usual wake up time, but there is exciting @OpenPriv news!

The main, big one is that we received a 1044 ZEC donation from @ZcashFoundation! !

In this thread I'll break down some of the research and initiatives this will fund.

https://twitter.com/OpenPriv/status/1201869060763308032

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation While coffee brews, let me just say that that this donation was unrestricted and that this research was already underway because it is impossible to do any work involving privacy & marginalized communities without coming across financial censorship

https://twitter.com/SarahJamieLewis/status/1142125889066418177

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation At the start of the year we released the first alpha version of Cwtch, a metadata resistant messenger, based on tor v3 onion services (inspired by ricochet) - supporting p2p and group chats & simple apps.

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation Cwtch is an active prototype, and we've spent a lot of 2019 focused on building out from the initial alpha and upgrading areas like mobile support, usability, and the underlying networking, including moving from Ricochet to a new stack we call Tapir

https://twitter.com/OpenPriv/status/1176266584404287488

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation Tapir already features a much improved authentication protocol over the original Ricochet protocol, but our main goals with it involve developing a stack that allow us to build peer focused anonymous applications quickly and securely.

(Tapir = TAPir = Tiny Anonymous Peer)

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation One of the apps we are prototyping is a generalization of Cwtch servers (which support anonymous, metadata resistant offline group messages) we call Token Board.

A Tapir app that allows peers to "purchase" tokens which can later be used to post messages

git.openprivacy.ca/cwtch.im/tapir…

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation I say "purchase" because the first version of the app will simply replace the current limited PoW anti-spam check we force clients to do when they post - allowing clients to prepay PoW in exchange for tokens they can later use to post messages.

The fun comes later...

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation Before I get to the fun bit let me tell you about the tokens themselves. We use a variation of the Privacy Pass protocol to allow peers to obtain signed blinded tokens from a server in exchange for some form of payment.

For details see our draft writeup: openprivacy.ca/assets/towards…

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation In essence those tokens and the protocol itself allow many nice properties regardless of the payment itself e.g. we can split the metadata around payment and redemption - and we can distribute tokens between devices or even groups - allowing more flexible application setups.

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation But, perhaps most importantly, it gives us traction to solve one of the bigger looming problems that most tech in this space faces - how to incentivise infrastructure operators to host cwtch servers.

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation Cwtch servers are untrusted infrastructure, the whole point behind them is that they gain no information regarding the peers or the groups using them (none means none).

As much as I'd love to rely on the inherent goodness of humankind to host them, we need robust incentives.

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation So we've since prototyped a way to exchange these tokens for cold, hard, crypto -we picked Zcash first because encrypted memos allow us to do fun protocol stuff the zcash payment itself while preserving metadata resistance!

Check here for the code: git.openprivacy.ca/openprivacy/zc…

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation We have a lot of ideas as to what becomes possible when an ecosystem that ties privacy preserving group applications and payments come together exists.

We're a long way from that, but this donation will help us get closer .

coindesk.com/zcash-foundati…

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation While I've got you...we are hiring a part time staff designer! Come help us build truly consentful technology!

Applications close next week so please take a look at the description and reach out if you have any questions!

openprivacy.ca/jobs/staff-des…

@OpenPriv @ZcashFoundation I'd like to extend another huge Thank You to @ZcashFoundation - unrestricted donations like this make it possible to do the work that we do. Not just exciting tech research like this, but also programs like OP:Sec which often go on behind the scenes.

openprivacy.ca/work/opsec/