DataProtector Sharing

The DataProtector Sharing module includes a set of methods for distributing and monetizing your protected data. These work seamlessly in your own applications in a way that's transparent to end users. The Sharing module supports the following options for distributing a user's protected data:

• Sharing freely with other users
• Renting data for a pre-determined period of time
• Providing access for a recurring subscription fee
• Selling ownership of the data

Once access is obtained through one of these distribution methods, the consume methods allow interaction with the protected data. The application designer uses these methods to securely retrieve data from IPFS and decrypt it on the client side. This ensures only the consumer gains access to the data.

How does it work?

The user's protected data is managed by a special Data Sharing smart contract. This smart contract enforces the user's desired sharing paradigm. Protected data is bundled by the user into one or more collections. Within the collection, the user may specify different sharing options for different pieces of data. This illustration shows the hierarchy of a Data Sharing smart contract:

The Data Sharing smart contract enforces governance over the user's protected data based on their desired distribution choices. The user has complete control over the mode of sharing for each Collection and each Protected Data contained in their collections.

The smart contract also protects the consumer of a user's data. If a consumer rents access to a video clip, for example, even if the owner of the video clip removes the rental option, the renter maintains their access for the duration of the rental period.

How does this differ from DataProtector Core?

With DataProtector Core you must grant each consumer individual access to your protected data. This has several prerequisites:

• The data owner must know the consumer's Ethereum address
• The data owner must sign a transaction at the moment you grant the access
• The data owner must define the number of times the consumer can access the data up front

With DataProtector Sharing a user can easily distribute their protected data to a wider audience. The user authorizes distribution channels up front and consumers of the data trigger smart contracts on their own, requiring no additional activity from the data owner. This has several key benefits

• The data owner doesn't need to know the consumer's Ethereum address
• The data owner doesn't need to sign a transaction at the moment of distribution, only the consumer of the data signs their transaction
• The data owner doesn't manage access, the Data Sharing smart contract automatically enforces the distribution and monetization choices

Sandbox

You can experiment with the DataProtector Sharing tool here:

⚡  Code Sandbox

The source code for the sandbox is on the iExec GitHub repository here:

🔎  GitHub repository sandbox