Welcome to the open-source monorepository for Solitude Search, dedicated to ensuring user privacy. The open-source code provided by the company Blyss is used with the aim of providing completely confidential access to a variety of articles. No one, not even the server itself, will be able to know what you are searching for; all thanks to the principles of Homomorphic Encryption.
The Readme file is available in Spanish and Catalan as well, and there is also an article about the project available here, only in Catalan though.
homepage-light-theme.mp4
The homepage of the site.
search-light-theme.mp4
A sample of a confidential search using Solitude Search.
hompage-dark-theme.mp4
The site also comes with dark theme.
It is difficult to keep secrets in the digital age. Despite encryption and various legislations implemented, the issue of privacy continues to plague internet users. With every message, every search, and every interaction, companies learn something more about us, making the price we pay for being connected our privacy.
While we are expected to be the owners of our personal data, to minimally participate in modern life, we are forced to relinquish this fundamental right. This is partly due to the proliferation of large and small tech companies that take control of our data, with the sole aim of profiting from it (what is known as the surveillance economy).
A system that does not put users in control will – immediately or over time - be rejected by enough of them that it cannot become and remain a unifying technology.
Cameron, K. (2005, maig 11). The Laws of Identity. PDF link.
In the context of the surveillance economy, search history becomes a powerful tool for companies to understand the defining elements of our personality and preferences. Furthermore:
In 2020, Mozilla published a study stating that search histories are 99% unique to the user, after analyzing 48,103 different histories.
Mozilla Research. PDF link.
This demonstrates the uniqueness of search histories and how they are distinct enough to identify and understand users. It underscores the need to adopt more transparent and respectful practices in the management of personal data or to move towards an environment where cryptographic proofs are a sufficient justification to ensure that the company will neither use nor share the content of our searches.
To counteract the lack of privacy on the Internet, Solitude Search relies on the principles of Homomorphic Encryption to ensure Private Information Retrieval (PIR). This means it implements homomorphic algorithms that allow users to obtain the information they seek without revealing any personal or specific details of their query, thanks to the support of the open-source code provided by the company Blyss.
This prevents companies from analyzing, using, selling, or sharing our search data, which, as we remember, is 99% personal and highly defining of our identity. This is because the server has no knowledge of the information the user has searched for, despite having provided the desired content.
An article about the project is also available here.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments about this project. You can reach me by email or connect with me through social media.
Email: rogerrovi2006@gmail.com
Twitter: @rovi_roger
This project, Solitude Search, is an experimental application and is provided "as is," without any warranty, express or implied. By using this software, you agree to assume all risks associated with its use, including, but not limited to, data loss, system failure, or any other issues that may arise.
Solitude Search is released under the MIT License, which is an open-source license. You can contribute to this project or use the code as you wish, provided that you comply with its terms. You can find a copy of the license text here: LICENSE.
Note: This program is not affiliated with Blyss.