From f78274c76ddefa3f914994eab238faef435aaa77 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Duke Leto Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2020 08:06:47 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Update README.md --- README.md | 37 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-- 1 file changed, 35 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 5f918c6..9fcb034 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,2 +1,35 @@ -# hushchat -HushChat stuff +# HushChat - Signal On A Blockchain + + +## What is HushChat? + +HushChat is a protocol which is a particular use case of HushList protocol and which sits on top of Zcash Protocol. It is +inspired by the design of Signal Protocol and uses many of the same cryptography and ideas, but does not actually use any +code from Signal. + +## Is HushChat a fork of Signal? + +No. We do not use code directly from Signal, but the ideas from the protocol and the GUI interface. + +## Why not just use Signal? + +Signal requires phone numbers and is a centralized service. HushChat is completely anonymous and decentralized. + +## What is HushList? + +HushList is a protocol first published in 2017, which describes how to use Zcash Protocol for various communications use cases, +including censorship-resistance: https://github.com/leto/hushlist/blob/master/whitepaper/protocol.pdf + +## Will HushChat store messages on the blockchain like HushList does? + +Yes, data must be stored on-chain to have censorship resistance and HushChat can be thought of as a "flavor" of HushList. +Users may choose between storing data on the *public* Hush blockchain or their own Hush Smart Chain (which could be public or completely private) : https://github.com/myhush/hush-smart-chains + +## Isn't it a bad idea to store private data in a blockchain? + +It depends on the needs of the user. Currently, many users give all their information for free to various cloud companies +who constantly mine their personal data which can then be sold to advertising companies who want to influence thinking and purchases. These average users have a lot to benefit from controlling their data, wrapping it in multiple layers of encryption and enjoying censorship-resistance. For those with more strict needs (say a Healthcare company), a dedicated Hush Smart Chain +with access controls, such as needing to be on a certain VPN with a special user/pass to connect to the network, could be used. + +Ultimately, to prove to others that something happened or to easily communicate with others, a public blockchain will be the primary use case. It also provides a meeting place for users to come together and then spin up their own Just-In-Time specific-use-case blockchains. +