BlockSurvey

Inspiration

The need for a privacy-first online survey tool became evident in the backdrop of prominent data breaches, such as the one suffered by Typeform in 2018, and the invasive nature of many digital tools. We realized that the digital world was in dire need of a platform where users could gather information without compromising on privacy, security, or trust. BlockSurvey was born out of the desire to build a trust bridge, ensuring that the surveyors and respondents could interact without concerns about data leaks or invasiveness.

What it does

BlockSurvey offers end-to-end encrypted surveying tools, ensuring data privacy is paramount. Through BlockSurvey:

• Users can swiftly create surveys, either from scratch or by using BlockSurvey's ready-made templates.
• All data is encrypted end-to-end by default and stored securely.
• Respondents remain anonymous by design, ensuring genuine, candid feedback without any privacy compromises.
• Data collectors, like researchers, businesses, and institutions, can be confident in the security and privacy of the data they accumulate.

How I built it

BlockSurvey was architected atop the Stacks Blockchain, leveraging its Decentralized Identity/Account (DID) capabilities. By integrating the Stacks API, we enabled identity, authentication, and storage management features. BlockSurvey's core revolves around true data ownership, using the Stacks Blockchain to provide users with their controlled identity and data storage. Crucially, all encryption operations happen client-side, resulting in a zero-knowledge server environment.

Challenges I ran into

Pioneering a platform on decentralized technology brought its unique set of challenges. Guaranteeing uninterrupted end-to-end encryption while maintaining a smooth user experience was a tightrope walk. Winning trust in a community accustomed to traditional platforms also proved to be a significant challenge.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

• Successfully integrating blockchain technology into a real-world application, enhancing data privacy.
• Establishing a genuine zero-knowledge environment, ensuring we remain uninformed about users' data.
• Receiving an overwhelming positive response from users, reinforcing our belief in a privacy-centric future.

What I learned

Shifting from centralized paradigms to decentralized solutions, though challenging, offers profound rewards. We gained in-depth insights into the Stacks Blockchain, understanding how to maximize it for user privacy. Above all, we grasped the sheer importance of platforms genuinely committed to user privacy in today's digital age.

What's next for BlockSurvey

Our roadmap includes broadening our feature base and potential integrations, ensuring BlockSurvey emerges as the de facto platform for diverse data collection needs. We're also steering towards a more community-led growth strategy, embedding more Web3 functionalities, and committing to place our users at the helm of our journey.

Built With

• angular.js
• bitcoin
• stacks