CipherSocial

Privacy-Preserving Social Networking on the Hyle Blockchain

CipherSocial enables users to find shared interests while preserving their privacy. Using cryptography (Private Set Intersection via Paillier partially homomorphic encryption verified by a ZK-proof), users can discover common preferences without revealing their actual responses.

How It Works

1. Create a Meet: Set up a new meeting with custom questions for participants to answer
2. Join a Meet: Participants connect their wallet and answer questions about their interests
3. Find Matches: The app uses partially homomorphic encryption to identify shared interests without exposing non-shared preferences of the other user

Technology Stack

• Frontend: Next.js (React) with EVM wallet integration
• Backend: Rust-based server with zero-knowledge proof generation
• Privacy: Paillier partially homomorphic encryption for Private Set Intersection (PSI)
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs: RISC Zero's zkVM for verifying computations (the computation being the other user's encryption - you want to verify they aren't lying and sending you encrypted preferences that are different than the preferences they have already committed)
• Blockchain: Hyle for on-chain state and verification

Setup

Requirements

• Rust (latest stable)
• RISC0 Tools
• Hyle (local or testnet) so docker
• Node.js and npm (for frontend)

Installation

1. Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/ssocolow/CipherSocial.git
   cd CipherSocial

2. Build the Rust backend

   cd backend/zk-hyle/host
   export RISC0_DEV_MODE=1
   cargo run

3. Set up the Hyle node

   # In your local Hyle clone (https://docs.hyle.eu/quickstart/devnet/)
   export RISC0_DEV_MODE=1
   cargo run -- --pg

4. Install frontend dependencies

   cd frontend
   npm install

5. Start the frontend development server

   npm run dev