GDPR Compliance Guide

[GENERAL] Name and Surname of Main Applicant

Oussama Benmahmoud

[GENERAL] Email address of Main Applicant

oussama.benmahmoud@peak-soft.de

Additional Applicants

Abderrahim Issaoui

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” in this field.

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project outputs be fully Open Source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.” in this field.

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

Standards and Regulation

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution targets the significant issue of GDPR-compliance within the realm of blockchain technology. Despite the potential of blockchain for various industries, it often struggles to adhere to stringent data privacy standards such as those laid out by the GDPR. This creates barriers to adoption, especially within sectors handling sensitive data. 

We plan to conduct an in-depth research and analysis of GDPR-compliance within the context of blockchain solutions, with a specific focus on Cardano. We have chosen this approach because we believe that understanding the issue in detail is the first step towards devising effective solutions. 

The research project will engage a wide range of stakeholders, including legal experts, blockchain developers, data scientists, and the Cardano community at large. We plan to involve the community in discussions and solicit their feedback to ensure our research reflects the real-world concerns of those implementing blockchain solutions.

The project's impact will be demonstrated by the creation of a comprehensive set of guidelines for GDPR-compliant blockchain practices. These guidelines, along with additional educational materials, will equip the Cardano community with the tools and knowledge necessary to develop privacy-respecting blockchain solutions.

Our solution is unique as it merges two complex areas - GDPR and blockchain, and creates a simplified, user-friendly guide to navigating them. This solution benefits any entity in the Cardano ecosystem aiming to implement blockchain solutions while respecting data privacy regulations. It is crucial for Cardano as it fosters a more secure, privacy-respecting blockchain ecosystem, thus encouraging greater adoption and innovation within the platform.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our proposed solution directly addresses the challenge of fostering a secure, privacy-respecting, and compliant Cardano ecosystem. By conducting extensive research and creating guidelines on GDPR-compliant blockchain practices, we aim to bridge the gap between stringent data privacy regulations and the transformative potential of blockchain technology.

The primary benefit this project brings to the Cardano ecosystem is a robust framework for GDPR compliance. It will equip developers, businesses, and other stakeholders within the Cardano community with the knowledge and tools to ensure their blockchain solutions are in line with GDPR regulations. 

Our project goes beyond theoretical guidelines; we aim to provide practical, actionable steps and resources that stakeholders can readily use. This real-world applicability will contribute to a more secure, trustworthy Cardano ecosystem, in turn attracting more users and businesses to the platform. 

In terms of impact, we anticipate our project will contribute to a measurable increase in GDPR-compliant projects within the Cardano ecosystem within a year of our guidelines being published. We believe that the resources we provide will become a go-to reference for data privacy compliance, promoting more responsible and secure development practices within the Cardano community. 

Furthermore, by fostering a GDPR-compliant environment, Cardano can gain a competitive edge over other blockchain platforms. It shows commitment to data privacy and security, a key concern for users and businesses alike, thereby strengthening Cardano's reputation and attracting broader adoption.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of our project will be determined using both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

Adoption of Guidelines: We will track the number of downloads or accesses to our guidelines and resource

Increase in GDPR-Compliant Projects: We aim for a measurable increase in GDPR-compliant projects within the Cardano ecosystem within a year of the guidelines' release

Community Engagement: We'll measure the attendance and engagement in our educational webinars and community discussion

Feedback from the Community: We will conduct surveys and gather feedback from users who have implemented the guideline

In terms of the project's impact on Cardano's productivity and growth, our guidelines and resources will directly contribute to creating a more secure and privacy-respecting ecosystem. This can have both short-term and long-term effects. In the short term, it encourages better data privacy practices among current developers and businesses within the ecosystem. Over the long term, it has the potential to attract more users and projects to Cardano, as our platform will be recognized as being dedicated to stringent data privacy standards, contributing to the growth and expansion of the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Our plan to disseminate the outputs and results of our project includes the following strategies:

1. Dedicated Website: We will develop a dedicated website where we will publish the GDPR-compliant blockchain guidelines and resource
2. Community Engagement: We will actively share the outputs of our work on various Cardano community platforms such as Cardano forums, Reddit, and social media channel
3. Educational Webinars: We will host a series of webinars to walk through the guidelines, explain our findings, and demonstrate the application of these guidelines in real-world scenario
4. Collaboration with Cardano Developers: We plan to work directly with developers in the Cardano ecosystem to promote the adoption of our guidelines during their project development stage
5. Media Outreach: We will engage with blockchain and data privacy-focused media outlets to share our findings, thereby enhancing the visibility of the project beyond the immediate Cardano community

The results of our project will also fuel further research and development. The insights and feedback we gather during the implementation of these guidelines will inform future studies into data privacy regulations in blockchain technology. The knowledge we generate could spark conversations on privacy-preserving practices in the wider blockchain community, ultimately contributing to the development of even more robust solutions.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

As PeakSoft GmbH, a Germany-based consulting company, we bring an extensive range of skills and experiences to the table, making us uniquely positioned to deliver this project.

• Company Reputation and Track Record: Over the years, we have established ourselves as a trusted entity, working with large-scale applications and big clients. Our projects' success, including partnerships with leading German automakers, underscores our ability to deliver high-quality results and manage large-scale projects efficiently.
• Solid Team Foundation: Our company boasts six full-time employees, each bringing their expertise in diverse disciplines such as software development, quality assurance, project management, and blockchain technology. This strong internal structure will ensure that all aspects of our project are managed effectively.
• Extended Resources: Beyond our internal team, we have access to an extensive network of external consultants. Should the need arise, we can swiftly deploy additional resources to ensure our project progresses without disruption.
• Web2 and Web3 Expertise: Our team members are pioneers in both web2 and web3 technologies. We have in-depth experience in large-scale software quality assurance and application development. Furthermore, our involvement as Plutus Pioneers and Atala PRISM Pioneers showcases our deep-rooted understanding and commitment to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Transparency and Accountability: We prioritize maintaining clear communication with the community. Regular progress reports and periodic webinars and Q&A sessions will be organized to keep stakeholders updated. Our stringent budgeting and auditing procedures will ensure that funds are managed appropriately and used as intended.

While our current budget allows for the completion of our proposed project, we may consider seeking additional funding in future Catalyst rounds. This would enable us to introduce new features and expand our project's scope. Any additional funding required will be detailed in a separate, new proposal.

To track the progress of our project, we'll implement Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, and set clear acceptance criteria for each project component and deliverable. We'll also make use of Scrum boards and product backlogs to provide a transparent and constantly updated view of our progress.

For us, success is not merely about reaching milestones. It also involves accomplishing our established acceptance criteria and user stories within our sprints, and successfully delivering the first product increment within the proposed timeline. In essence, success means delivering a product that meets our high-quality standards and offers real value to the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Our main project goals are as follows:

1. Thorough Research: Conduct in-depth research into the intersection of blockchain technology and GDPR compliance, including case studies and analysis of existing solutions. 
2. Development of Comprehensive Guidelines: Develop a comprehensive and practical set of guidelines for GDPR-compliant blockchain practices. 
3. Creation of Educational Resources: Create valuable educational resources and documentation to aid the Cardano community in understanding and implementing these guideline
4. Website Development: Develop a dedicated website to host the guidelines, resources, and relevant informatio
5. Active Community Engagement: Engage the Cardano community through discussions, feedback sessions, and webinars, promoting the understanding and adoption of the guidelines. 
6. Validation of Approach: See an increase in GDPR-compliant projects within the Cardano ecosystem following the launch of our guidelines and resource

To validate if our approach is feasible, we will use the following measures:

• The successful completion of our research, including the gathering and analysis of relevant data, case studies, and expert opinions, will validate the feasibility of our approach to goal 1.
• The production of the GDPR-compliant guidelines and their subsequent use by the Cardano community will serve as a measure of the successful accomplishment of goal 2 and 3.
• The launch of the website and its usage by the community will validate the success of goal 4.
• Active participation and engagement from the Cardano community in our discussions, feedback sessions, and webinars will validate the achievement of goal 5.
• Seeing an uptick in GDPR-compliant projects within the Cardano ecosystem after the launch of our guidelines and resources will confirm the success of goal 6.

If any issues or hurdles arise during the project, our team will adapt and adjust our approach as necessary, leveraging our collective expertise in blockchain technology, data privacy regulations, and community engagement.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Literature Review and Case Study Analysis

• Key Activities: Extensive literature review, identification of relevant case studies, in-depth analysis of case studies, synthesis of findings.
• Timeline: Month 1
• Success Criteria: Completion of literature review, successful analysis of case studies, and generation of initial findings.

Milestone 2: Expert Consultation

• Key Activities: Identification of industry and legal experts, consultation meetings, refining understanding based on expert insights.
• Timeline: Month 2
• Success Criteria: Completion of expert consultations and integration of their insights into our research.

Milestone 3: Development of Initial Guidelines

• Key Activities: Compilation and synthesis of findings from research and consultations, drafting initial GDPR-compliant guidelines for blockchain.
• Timeline: Month 3
• Success Criteria: Completion of draft guidelines based on research and expert inputs.

Milestone 4: Community Engagement and Feedback Collection

• Key Activities: Sharing initial guidelines with the Cardano community, hosting webinars and discussions, collecting feedback.
• Timeline: Month 4
• Success Criteria: Successful engagement with the community and collection of useful feedback.

Milestone 5: Refinement of Guidelines and Development of Educational Resources

• Key Activities: Refining guidelines based on feedback, creating educational resources (documentation, webinars, workshops).
• Timeline: Month 5
• Success Criteria: Finalized GDPR-compliant guidelines and completed educational resources.

Milestone 6: Website Development

• Key Activities: Design and development of a website, uploading guidelines and resources, testing and launch.
• Timeline: Month 6
• Success Criteria: Successful launch of the website with hosted guidelines and resources.

Milestone 7: Community Education Sessions

• Key Activities: Hosting community education sessions via webinars or workshops, addressing queries, promoting the adoption of guidelines.
• Timeline: Month 7 onwards
• Success Criteria: Successful community sessions and an increase in the adoption of guidelines in new Cardano projects.

This project will be implemented using a collaborative and iterative approach, leveraging the collective expertise of our team members and advisors. Regular project meetings will ensure coordination, and a dedicated project manager will oversee the project to ensure milestones are met. Feedback from the community will be integral to our project, informing our guidelines' refinement and educational resources' development.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Literature Review and Case Study Analysis

• Deliverables/Outputs: Comprehensive literature review report, case study analysis report.
• Intended Outcomes: Foundational understanding of GDPR compliance in the context of blockchain, identification of key challenges and successful approaches.

Milestone 2: Expert Consultation

• Deliverables/Outputs: Expert consultation reports, refined research findings.
• Intended Outcomes: Deepened understanding of the practical and legal complexities of GDPR compliance in blockchain, incorporation of expert insights into our guidelines.

Milestone 3: Development of Initial Guidelines

• Deliverables/Outputs: Draft guidelines for GDPR-compliant blockchain practices.
• Intended Outcomes: Clear guidance for Cardano developers on how to ensure GDPR compliance in their projects.

Milestone 4: Community Engagement and Feedback Collection

• Deliverables/Outputs: Feedback reports from community engagement sessions.
• Intended Outcomes: Incorporation of community perspectives and needs into our guidelines, increased awareness about GDPR compliance in the Cardano community.

Milestone 5: Refinement of Guidelines and Development of Educational Resources

• Deliverables/Outputs: Finalized GDPR-compliant guidelines, educational resources including webinars, workshops, and documentation.
• Intended Outcomes: Easily accessible and comprehensive resources for GDPR compliance in the Cardano ecosystem.

Milestone 6: Website Development

• Deliverables/Outputs: Fully functional, user-friendly website hosting the guidelines and educational resources.
• Intended Outcomes: Increased accessibility of the guidelines and resources, providing a central platform for community members to access and discuss GDPR compliance.

Milestone 7: Community Education Sessions

• Deliverables/Outputs: Recorded education sessions, summary reports of sessions.
• Intended Outcomes: Increased understanding and adoption of GDPR compliance guidelines in the Cardano community, fostering a GDPR-compliant Cardano ecosystem.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Absolutely, here's a revised version of the milestones with the corresponding budget next to them:

Milestone 1: Literature Review and Case Study Analysis - 5,000 ADA

• Literature review resources (access to journals, databases, etc.)
• Case study acquisition and analysis

Milestone 2: Expert Consultation - 10,000 ADA

• Consultation with GDPR experts and legal professionals
• Consultation with experienced blockchain developers

Milestone 3: Development of Initial Guidelines - 5,000 ADA

• Development and writing of initial guidelines
• Technical review of guidelines

Milestone 4: Community Engagement and Feedback Collection - 4000 ADA

• Hosting of community engagement sessions
• Collection and analysis of community feedback

Milestone 5: Refinement of Guidelines and Development of Educational Resources - 6000 ADA

• Refinement of guidelines based on feedback
• Development of educational materials (webinars, workshops, documentation)

Milestone 6: Website Development - 10,000 ADA

• Design and development of website
• Hosting and maintenance of website

Milestone 7: Community Education Sessions - 5,000 ADA

• Hosting of community education sessions
• Preparation of summary reports and follow-up materials

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Our project's cost offers significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to our team's expertise, our operational efficiency, and our strategic approach to resource utilization.

Our team comprises highly skilled professionals, with extensive experience in large-scale application development, software quality, and connected car projects. This high caliber of expertise might appear to increase the cost, but it also ensures that we deliver high-quality solutions that are designed to stand the test of time, resulting in long-term savings for the ecosystem.

In terms of operational efficiency, we, as PeakSoft GmbH, a Germany-based consulting company, have years of experience working with prominent clients and managing sizable projects. This experience enables us to streamline our operations, reducing overheads and eliminating unnecessary costs.

Furthermore, as a company, we have full-time employees dedicated to this project, ensuring a high degree of accountability, ownership, and commitment, which in turn leads to better cost management and enhanced output. This commitment also extends to the possibility of deploying external consultants, if necessary, to enhance our capabilities without significantly affecting our cost structure.

The budget for this project has been determined considering the average wages for software professionals in Germany, which is one of the higher wage countries in Europe, reflecting the high level of expertise and quality assurance that we bring to this project. However, we're confident that our team's unique combination of skills and experience in both Web2 and Web3 technologies offers exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem.

Ultimately, our aim is to provide the Cardano community with solutions that not only solve existing problems but also open up new opportunities. By investing in our project, the community is investing in the potential for future growth and innovation within the ecosystem, making it a value-for-money proposition.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept