Overview
1. Overview
ONLY NETWORK is a novel communication protocol that uses the blockchain-based, decentralized architecture of web3 to deliver unparalleled user security, privacy, and autonomy to any existing web or mobile app without compromising speed or convenience.
1.1 Why do we build ONLY NETWORK
Privacy and autonomy in online communication have been subjects of perennial and increasing concern and debate over the past decade. The ongoing development of web3 applications and services, such as decentralized finance, NFTs, and DAOs, highlight the widespread appetite for a decentralized network environment where users have complete control over their data and activities. However, web3’s emphasis on decentralized applications and blockchain-based technologies has not yet been meaningfully utilized to address the privacy concerns affecting online messaging apps.Currently, many messaging services are cloud-based web2 applications and, as such, have significant drawbacks regarding user security and autonomy. For example, in existing messaging applications, user IDs are owned by the service provider, which means that users cannot transfer their ID to other platforms and that the service provider has the authority to ban users. Also, while some web2 communication applications provide end-to-end (E2E) encryption to ensure that no one other than the parties in the conversation can read the message, they do not protect metadata, including who is in communication with whom, where, and how often. Additionally, despite E2E encryption, messages are stored on centralized servers and can be accessed by service providers.Notably, the lack of a web3 messaging application prevents integrating the various existing use cases around a single wallet. In other words, people would be required to use a messaging service separate from their wallet, potentially exposing their data to vulnerabilities.1.1.1 Web3 Challenges to Address While our research shows a clear opportunity and need for a web3 communication solution, we have also identified several challenges that should be addressed. For example, on-chain communication is time-consuming and relatively costly. Also, no existing decentralized communication protocol can be scaled without compromising speed. To address these issues, ONLY NETWORK is envisioned as an application that combines the high performance of web2 but also has the advantages of decentralization of web3. At the same time, users can use a unique identifier to communicate between different 3.0 applications.
1.2 What is ONLY NETWORK
ONLY NETWORK is a fully decentralized and secure communication content distribution network with high performance, which provides users with personalized features to suit their specific messaging needs. ONLY NETWORK offers users full ownership and control of their user ID, social graph, and personal data. Additionally, communication on ONLY NETWORK is not subject to legal jurisdiction restrictions; it facilitates censorship-free messaging since all data is stored on a decentralized network and routed using a peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol. Specifically, Chat Protocol provides users with the following features.
Encrypted private and group chat ONLY NETWORK provides end-to-end encryption for both one-to-one private chat and one-to-many group chat. Leveraging on our encryption key exchange algorithm and P2P network optimization, we support the encrypted group chat in a fully decentralized network.
Distributed Identity ONLY NETWORK has built-in DID support. Users can sign in to the same account with multiple wallet addresses and seamlessly sync social data. By implementing an NFT-based DID, Chat Protocol empowers users with full account ownership.
Trading extensibility Our highly extensible API enables developers to customize the message content, like calling a Dapp through our plug-in API system and as a web3 native communication infrastructure, ONLY NETWORK inherits the crypto trading ability.
Metadata protection In addition to end-to-end encrypted messaging, ONLY NETWORK provides users with complete metadata protection. No one other than the communicating parties knows who is in contact with whom and what information they are exchanging.
Secure offline information storage Everything stored in the underlying P2P network is encrypted and verifiable. We assume that the service runs in an untrusted environment for a decentralized network, and we protect the user’s privacy by securing message transmission and offline data storage.
Rich, featureful communication ONLY NETWORK’S high security and privacy features do not impede the richness and speed of communication. Users can send texts, files, and images messages over the P2P network. Moreover, we support group voice/video calling as well.
Multi-platform compatibility ONLY NETWORK supports iOS, Web, Android, and other platforms. We enable users to run client instances on multiple devices simultaneously with automatic data synchronization.
1.3 Highlights of ONLY NETWORK in Comparison to Existing Communication Protocols
1) Compared to Web2 protocols,ONLY NETWORK offers:
Data Ownership: Full control over user‘s social graph data, free speech without censorship
Privacy: Protection of user data with fully encrypted private and group chats without compromising on performance
2) Compared to on-chain protocols, ONLY NETWORK offers:
High-Performance messaging: Supports large group chats with instant message delivery at no cost
Multi-chain support: Supports EVM-compatible chains
Encrypted group chat: E2E encrypted chats for both private and group communication
3) Compared to other P2P protocols, ONLY NETWORK offers:
Full Encryption: We support fully encrypted one-on-one and one-to-many group messaging, unlike other P2P networks that only support private chat encryption
Complete Privacy: Edge network node enhances private communication, with metadata fully encrypted
Optimized Performance: Large group message routing is optimized in our P2P routing algorithms, without using too much network bandwidth to find the perfect balance between performance and decentralization
Full Decentralization: Users’ social IDs, social graphs, and other crucial data are stored on the blockchain, unlike other P2P networks that save users’ data.
1.4 Core Concepts
1.4.1 Client and Edge NodeThe client and edge node are the main participants of ONLY NETWORK. The “client” includes all users’ devices on which the ONLY NETWORK client is installed. The term “edge node” refers to a message relay node running the ONLY NETWORK . ONLY NETWORK will automatically allocate some edge nodes to each client upon registration. These nodes mainly provide message relay, data storage, and video streaming services. The edge nodes are assigned randomly to ensure decentralization and randomness. Of course, users have the option manually choose edge nodes they trust.1.4.2 Chat Room In ONLY NETWORK, the chat room is the carrier of communication on which all messaging between users is carried out. The room is a service running on the client, identified by a chat room ID or some aliases.1.4.3 Privacy Level For the purposes of this paper, the term “privacy” refers to the ability of users to prevent access to their personal information without their authorization. To tailor data storage and protection solutions for users with different needs, user data is generally separated into three different privacy levels:
Confidential: Not sharing with anyone
Public: Completely public
Private: Shared with authorized user
The solution of the first two levels is relatively simple, and many existing technical solutions have been implemented well. But common applications are implemented relatively crudely for private-level data that can be disseminated on the Internet and can only be viewed by authorized people. We believe that for instant messaging applications, private-level data can be further divided into:
Chat history
Contact list
Metadata (which ip, which wallet address are users communicating with) We have designed more suitable encryption schemes for these finer privacy levels. Please refer to our technical documents for more details.
1.4.4 NFT NFT is an emerging blockchain technology that uniquely determines the owner on-chain for irreplaceable digital assets through a consensus mechanism and allows the owner to conduct NFT transactions through the blockchain. In ONLY NETWORK, NFT will be used to establish users’ account information and social relationships, as well as room owners' ownership of group chat rooms, while allowing these digital assets to circulate flexibly.
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