Agora by ZKorum – a ZK-powered eDemocracy platform

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Yuting Jiang

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

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

9

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will build an anonymous and verifiable forum where citizens are verified using ZK proof of passport, ensuring that even our backend cannot link posts back to user profiles.

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

Yes

[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.”

• crypto-wasm-ts library developed by Dock, with whom we are regularly in contact with, and which we already contributed to. This cryptography library is open-source under the Apache v2 license. There is no need for more development on this side at the moment, our privacy-preserving posting protocol already works perfectly with it. Link to the repository: https://github.com/docknetwork/crypto-wasm-ts

• Proof of Passport third-party app developed by the Ethereum Foundation: licensed under MIT except the zk circuits relying on Circom, which are under GPL. A SDK and a communication protocol must still be developed to communicate proofs between our application and theirs. The SDK will have no dependency to Circom and will be entirely MIT Licensed, and it is the software we will integrate directly in our solution. We already met with the team and communicate frequently, and we also have the know-how in-house to contribute to the necessary changes. Link to the repository: https://github.com/zk-passport/proof-of-passport

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The whole software will be open-source. The project will entirely live in the https://github.com/zkorum/zkorum mono-repository containing the following subprojects:

• shared libraries released under the MPLv2 license
• the frontend cross-platform application released under the MPLv2 license
• the backend released under the AGPLv3 license
• the mono-repository as a whole is released under the AGPLv3 license

All contributors sign the Fiduciary Licensing Agreement from the Free Software Foundation Europe to allow for relicensing under any Free (Libre) Open-Source licenses considered as such by the OSI or by the FSF.

We favor copyleft licenses in general to maximize end-users freedom. 

We use the share-alike license MPLv2 for shared libraries to encourage third-parties to use them even when their product is proprietary.

We use the share-alike license MPLv2 instead of GPLv3 for the frontend application to avoid conflicts with the App Store legal requirements.

[METADATA] SDG rating

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work And Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The internet was initially designed to connect computers, not humans. Consequently, we find ourselves in an online identity crisis: either we remain fully anonymous and unverifiable, akin to bots, or we have to trust third parties with our personal data and risk the compromise of our privacy. This dilemma exposes us to a plethora of issues, including unconsented data collecting & trading, scams, doxing, harassment, identity theft, etc.

The online trust deficit, coupled with the rampant misinformation, extreme opinions, and bots, has transformed social media into a toxic environment. Here, diverse viewpoints are met with hostility rather than open dialogues.

Pew Research Center reveals that while social media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinions, 70% of users avoid posting about politics due to the fear of backlash. Moreover, vulnerable populations, including women and minorities, are significantly more likely to be harassed and pressured to self-censor. Their voices are routinely missing from this important civic sphere. 

We believe that anonymity and verifiability are equally crucial for empowering individuals, particularly those who are marginalized, to speak up without fear of retaliation and participate in the local political life. Our solution will be the very first utilization of Proof of Passport combined with ZKorum’s innovative privacy-preserving protocol, to foster democratic discourse, paving the way to more inclusive and resilient societies. 

On Agora, users would log in the forum, then associate to their account their proof of personhood, age, citizenship, city residence, etc using the Proof of Passport external app, and finally post using the zero-knowledge proof protocol ZKorum already developed. All content on Agora is cryptographically anonymous and verifiable. Even ZKorum’s backend will not be able to trace any post back to the author. The only personal data that ZKorum collects is the registered email address and the user’s proof of identity attributes. 

Additionally, to control toxicity and cultivate a constructive environment, Agora will introduce an AI-powered solution for users to rephrase their posts more respectfully. Additionally, the moderation system is based on a p2p protocol to provide auditability and censorship-resistance. Our mission is to build a safe and open space, where everyone’s free to express themselves, civil and respectful with each other, confident in the source of information, and in control of their privacy. 

According to cardano.org, Cardano’s stated purpose is “to enable Societies to pursue true democracy: self-governing, fair, and accountable.” As the upcoming presidential elections loom in many countries around the world, the importance of fostering open civil discourse becomes even more pronounced in increasingly polarized societies.

We have established a partnership with The Voices For Peace, a Ghana-based NGO, to launch our platform to foster peaceful community dialogues and enhance civic participation in anticipation of the Ghanaian election in December 2024. Our partner will present our solution and case studies to relevant stakeholders including local authorities, journalists, and UNESCO.

We will measure our platform’s impact via case studies carried out by our partner and KPIs include but are not limited to the numbers of Registered Users, Daily/Monthly Active Users, and Engagement Rate.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Our project will extend the impact of the Cardano Foundation to citizens of France, Ghana, the US, and beyond. Eventually, this initiative will reach every city and country wishing to empower citizens with tools to safeguard their privacy while engaging them in local politics from the grassroots level, fostering open dialogues. Members of the Cardano community will lead this paradigm shift by introducing Agora to their respective locales.

Given that this aligns with one of the Cardano Foundation's core missions, we anticipate it will not only add value to the Cardano Community but also further the impact the community aims to achieve.

As an open startup built in public, ZKorum has been and will continue to regularly share KPIs on the website and social media platforms. Additionally, the quality of discussions on Agora and their outcomes in local communities will significantly influence the project's success. For instance, the MVP tested at ESSEC Business School highlighted issues concerning the integration of international students. In response, school management has collaborated with Yuting, ZKorum’s CEO, and a diversity and inclusion specialist to enhance inclusivity within the student community. 

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team has already developed from scratch the verifiable yet privacy-preserving protocol to post anonymously using zero-knowledge proofs and Verifiable Credentials. We launched an MVP at ESSEC Business School, now utilized by 220+ students and endorsed by the student government.

This project led to our selection among the Top 100 projects at Paris Blockchain Week and shortlisting for a €100K grant from the European Commission (NGI Trustchain). All our previous work and achievements have been conducted transparently and are freely auditable.

Technically, both Proof of Passport and our privacy-preserving posting protocol are operational; what remains is the interface integration and user interface development.

To date, we've self-funded our endeavors entirely. Regarding team credentials, Yuting, previously at Microsoft France as a Commercial Executive, closed 7-figure deals with corporate clients and secured over 300K in funding for her studies at NYU Abu Dhabi and ESSEC Business School. Nicolas, with expertise in Privacy tech, was a Lead Software Engineer at Protocol Labs Network.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

A: Milestone outputs

UX Design of the Agora social app

B: Acceptance criteria

The UX Design adequately presents how users will onboard, be invited to scan their passport, join their communities, and start posting. A full-blown prototype is not expected, only wireframes.

C: Evidence of milestone completion

Access to the design via an accessible read-only Figma link or another similar design tool.

D: Funding amount

₳20,000 (freelance product design work)

A: Milestone outputs

Development of the chosen design without any interaction with the external Proof of Passport app. At this stage, passport verification is mocked via a simple claim in-app.

B: Acceptance criteria

The Agora app is available on both App Store and Play Store in closed beta. Upon installation, the app corresponds to the expected UX and allows every basic interaction: registration, (mocked) passport verification, joining a community based on the verified passport, and posting using the privacy-preserving protocol.

C: Evidence of milestone completion

Corresponding source code available from the ZKorum mono-repository with instructions to build it locally. Access to the app for those invited in the closed beta group.

D: Funding amount

₳30,000 (the majority of software development takes place in this phase)

A: Milestone outputs

Communication Protocol RFC description between the Proof of Passport application and Agora by ZKorum.

B: Acceptance criteria

The RFC precisely describes how Proof of Passport and Agora will communicate.

C: Evidence of milestone completion

Presence of the RFC document either in one of the Proof of Passport repositories or in the ZKorum mono-repository. 

D: Funding amount

₳15,000

A: Milestone outputs

Adding support in the Agora app for the interaction between Proof of Passport and Agora

B: Acceptance criteria

The already developed Agora app now supports real passport verification via communicating with the Proof of Passport app using the described communication protocol.

C: Evidence of milestone completion

Corresponding source code available from the ZKorum mono-repository with instructions to build it locally. Access to the app for those invited in the closed beta group.

D: Funding amount

₳20,000 (remaining R&D)

A: Milestone outputs

Project Close-out Report and Video

B: Acceptance criteria

The Video clearly outlines the work done.

C: Evidence of milestone completion

The video is freely available on YouTube or another similar video streaming platform.

D: Funding amount

₳5,000 (documentation & dissemination)

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Nicolas Gimenez

• CTO of ZKorum
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-gimenez-5155aba1/
• Main responsibilities: R&D and Software Development

Yuting Jiang

• CEO of ZKorum
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuting-jiang-zkorum/
• Main responsibilities: Project management and dissemination

We plan to work with a freelance product designer and we have engaged with a Product Studio https://www.mozza.io/ through Yuting's alumni network. She has described the work and been given a corresponding quote.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

We are applying for ₳90,000 for a project spamming over 9 months. 70% of the fund will be dedicated to the research and development of the platform. 20% will be used for product design. The remaining 10% will fund our project management and dissemination efforts. 

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

Our CTO, Nicolas, will be in charge of R&D, which represents ₳63,000 over 9 months of work, or ₳7,000 per month, before corporate tax. During his time at the Protocol Labs Network, his salary was above ₳25,000 per month, after corporate tax. As this project will take a significant amount of engineering time, it will be good value for the money.

The outcome of the project is a full-blown real-world app that will be deployed to the Play Store and the App Store instead of just a proof of concept. We could have applied to the “MVP” fund which has a higher maximum funding amount (₳300,000), but we still decided to apply to the “Concept” fund in order to provide good value for money for the Cardano community.

The design work, ₳18,000, will be carried out by a freelance product designer. The typical rate for such a product in France is around ₳20,000. 

The project management and dissemination, ₳9,000, will be carried out by the CEO, Yuting. The amount will be enough to pay for her monthly groceries. Agora by ZKorum is her passion project and she will do whatever it takes to see it succeed.