Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Computer Science and Computer Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Nelson, Alexander

Committee Member/Reader

Panda, Brajendra

Committee Member/Second Reader

Ngan Le, Thi

Abstract

As traditional centralized social media platforms face growing concerns over data privacy, censorship, and lack of user control, there has been an increasing interest in decentralized alternatives. This thesis explores the design and implementation of a decentralized social media application by integrating two key technologies: Solid and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). Solid, led by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, enables users to store and manage their personal data in decentralized "Pods," giving them ownership over their digital identities. IPFS, a peer-to-peer hypermedia protocol, facilitates decentralized file storage and sharing, ensuring content availability and resilience against censorship. By leveraging these technologies, the proposed social media application aims to provide a secure, censorship-resistant platform for users to connect, share content, and engage while preserving privacy and autonomy.

This thesis delves into the design considerations, implementation details, and effectiveness evaluation of the application. It examines the technical architecture, functionality, usability, and performance characteristics, highlighting the opportunities and challenges presented by decentralized solutions in reshaping the digital landscape. Through analysis and discussion, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on decentralization and its potential to revolutionize social media, paving the way for a more user-centric digital future characterized by greater autonomy and control.

Keywords

Solid Project, InterPlanetary File System, Online Social Network, Social Media, Decentralized Computing, Distributed Computing, Decentralized Storage

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