Designing a Testbed for Privacy-Preserving Voice-based Social Networks

Abstract

Over the past decade, existing online social networks have emerged as vital platforms for fostering and nurturing social relationships. However, their reliance on text and multimedia-based interactions has posed limitations, particularly in terms of accessibility and hands-free operation, and in turn, impeded the full potential of online social networking. Voice-based social networks (VBSNs) offer a way to address these constraints by enabling multitasking through real-time audio communication, catering to a broader spectrum of users. To ensure the widespread adoption and practical utility of VBSNs, it is imperative that voice-based social networks and their applications offer secure and privacy-preserving services. In this paper, we outline the urgent requirements for voice-based social networks and evaluate existing open-source online social networking software and platforms to find the most suitable one for developing a testbed for VBSNs. Employing the chosen platform, we propose a design for VBSN testbed that facilitates the development and evaluation of VBSN applications while ensuring robust security and privacy measures through a blockchain-based decentralized identity and reputation mechanism. This proposed testbed serves as a valuable resource for researchers and developers to explore and address security and privacy concerns within the realm of voice-based social networking, enhancing the quality and reliability of their innovations.