Monas: Decentralized Personal Data Store

Monas aims to enhance data interoperability and user data sovereignty through a Decentralized Personal Data Store (PDS). This system leverages the encrypted data structure of Cryptree and the authenticity-guaranteeing technology of Blockchain as its core, allowing users to manage their own data while ensuring privacy and interoperability. Unlike traditional "solid-line data links," Monas introduces a new paradigm of data management through "dotted-line data links," directly reflecting the user's intentions. This approach creates a space in cyberspace that protects autonomy and privacy.

Introduction

Monas is a Decentralized Personal Data Store (PDS) designed to empower Data controllers with data sovereignty.Under the current circumstances, state-of-the-art technologies like the Semantic Web, Self-Sovereign Identity, and Blockchains are possible to solve the issues of data interoperability and of user-centric data management. Monas enables users to manage their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring interoperability, utilizing the cryptographic data structure of Cryptree and a P2P network for state management to ensure data authenticity. Unlike traditional 'solid line data links', we proposes a new paradigm of 'dotted line data links', which directly reflect user intent. This approach allows Monas to create a space in cyberspace that protects both autonomy and privacy, offering users the flexibility to solidify these links at their discretion. More details:Monas: Privacy, Data Interoperability, and Self-Sovereignty in Decentralized Personal Data Store v1.0.1 Slide: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CSDXeBKCRI5UfYq_DA_zj8i6FO6yLWsr/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113727888198193846679&rtpof=true&sd=true

Prototype

We recently participated in a hackathon organized by Protocol Labs to develop a prototype. (here) We've developed a prototype that embodies the principles of Monas. This prototype leverages three key components:

• Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs): Unique global identifiers that operate independently of centralized authorities.
• Cryptree: A structure that provides intuitive access control, managed by Data controllers.
• Blockchain: This serves as the backbone for our state management system, ensuring the authenticity and consistency of data. Our prototype specifically focuses on enhancing the functionality of read access control and the robust management of system state.

System configuration

The prototype consists of IPFS, Tableland, Push Protocol, Filecoin and Polygon. Please check Github for details and code of the prototype as well as the challenges and solutions. Prototype: here Demo Video: here

Monas team will soon release Proto-Prototype as an improved version of the prototype developed during a hackathon. This release will allow users to experience Monas firsthand.

Next Phases of Development

To develop Monas as a decentralized system, we are advancing in design and verification. One of the next major objectives in building Monas is the construction of the network. Currently, the Proto-Prototype operates by integrating the Monas server with blockchain. In the next phase, “state” will be managed within the network. The Monas network will adopt a structure different from blockchain, utilizing a CRDT(Conflict-free Replicated Data Type) mechanism instead of consensus voting within the network to order events. This approach allows the system to automatically converge to the latest state. Through this evolution, Monas will achieve a greater level of decentralization and create a more secure environment.

Additionally, while currently only the PDS administrators can write to the datastore, it is essential to enable writing permissions for approved users. This feature is particularly important as we aim to develop a range of decentralized applications on Monas, such as distributed social networking services. It will also support features like shared key storage and collaborative editing, which require non-administrative users to write within the PDS. By implementing these enhancements, including the development of an SDK, we aim to significantly expand the functionality and applicability of the Monas platform, making it a more versatile tool for decentralized data management.