Privacy-First Decentralized Social Network on Aleo
PrivCaster is a truly private decentralized social protocol built natively on Aleo using the Leo programming language and Aleo's zero-knowledge record model.
It enables users to:
- Post content (casts) without exposing identity, metadata, or connections
- Build hidden social graphs (follows, groups, interactions)
- Communicate privately via encrypted DMs and gated communities
- Receive private tips and execute bulk payouts to supporters or community members — all verifiably private
privcaster_v2.aleo is now live on Aleo Testnet!
- Contract:
privcaster_v2.aleo - Network: Testnet
- Transaction:
at1z6sgscd2n2nkkfstffww9mhf656t9hlrlpa5fh9985mxdtd59syqufjqk8 - Deployment Cost: 7.36 credits
- Architecture: Mapping-based (no record-passing required!)
Every action is protected by zero-knowledge proofs: validity is proven without revealing underlying data. This creates a safe space for authentic expression, free from doxxing, harassment, bullying, surveillance, or chain analysis — especially critical in high-risk regions and for sensitive topics.
On public social platforms and transparent blockchains, expressing opinions or sharing personal content carries real risks:
- Doxxing and real-world harassment
- Targeted bullying or "dragging" for unpopular views
- Self-censorship due to fear of exposure
- Traceable financial support (tips, rewards) linking wallets to identities
- Metadata leaks revealing networks, interests, and behavior patterns
PrivCaster eliminates these threats by making privacy the default and effortless:
- No public social graph
- No visible transaction history
- No metadata linkage between actions
- Verifiable rules (anti-spam, eligibility) without disclosure
This is only practically achievable with Aleo's programmable zero-knowledge execution environment — where private state transitions and ZK proofs are first-class citizens.
-
Free Expression Without Fear
Creators, activists, journalists, and everyday users post bold opinions or personal stories anonymously. -
Private Creator Economy
Supporters tip creators or communities reward members without exposing wallets or relationships. -
Safe Communities
Private groups for mental health support, whistleblowers, political organizing, or niche interests — membership and activity fully hidden. -
Bulk Private Distributions
DAOs, creators, or organizers distribute rewards (airdrops, payroll-like payouts, grants) to dozens or hundreds of recipients verifiably, without revealing lists, amounts, or criteria details.
- Core frontend (wallet connect, profile view, post composer)
- Private post creation: Leo contract + ZK proof for valid posting (anti-spam/rate limit), encrypted content, hidden metadata
- Basic private feed viewer (using view keys to decrypt own posts)
- Testnet deployment + simple demo flow
- Private DMs: End-to-end encrypted messaging with ZK proof of sender eligibility (e.g., mutual follow or group membership)
- Friend requests: ZK-based private follow requests/approvals (prove request without exposing graph)
- Private tipping: Single private sends (lock ALEO/stablecoin → prove balance → transfer privately to recipient)
- UI polish: Inbox, request notifications (private push via view keys), simple tip button on profiles/posts
- Private groups: ZK-gated creation/joining (prove criteria like "approved by admin" or "hold reputation token" without revealing members)
- Strict privacy in groups: Hidden membership lists, private group posts (only visible to members via shared view keys), anti-harassment tools (e.g., private reporting with ZK proof)
- Bulk payments foundation: Leo contract for private pool locking + basic batch distribution proof (e.g., prove total sent matches locked amount for small batches)
- UI: Group creation/join flow, group feed, bulk payout starter interface (select recipients manually first)
- Private reputation system: Homomorphic counters for likes/reactions/follows (accumulate score privately)
- ZK proofs for reputation: e.g., "prove >50 engagements" to unlock features without showing exact count
- Onboarding fee implementation: ~$5 private payment to register → reduces bots/sybil attacks
- UI: Reputation badge display (selective), fee payment flow during signup
- Full private bulk payouts: Lock funds → define private criteria (e.g., "active in last 30d", "in group X", "reputation > threshold") → ZK-proof eligibility + fair distribution → batch execute (up to 50–100 recipients)
- Claim mechanism: Recipients prove eligibility privately to claim their share
- Refund/dispute logic: Private arbitration stub
- UI: Creator dashboard for payout campaigns (select criteria, preview, execute)
- Advanced selective disclosure: Users prove attributes (e.g., "in group Y", "reputation tier") for access gating without full reveal
- View key sharing: Easy UI to grant temporary access (e.g., share a post/DM with someone)
- Basic compliance features: Optional view key escrow for audits (tax/reporting) while keeping default private
- UI: Proof generator UI, share modal
- Private personalized feeds: Aggregate follows + groups privately (ZK membership proofs for inclusion)
- Basic search/discovery: ZK-secure keyword search over encrypted posts (if feasible) or tag-based private channels
- Notifications: Private, encrypted push for DMs, mentions, tips received
- Mobile responsiveness + basic PWA support
- Protocol fees: 0.5% auto-collected on tips/bulk payouts → private treasury record
- Premium features stub: e.g., advanced ZK proofs or custom group themes (subscription via private recurring payment)
- Analytics dashboard (private views): Creator sees own engagement/tip stats without leaks
- UI: Earnings overview, fee transparency notice
- Circuit optimizations: Reduce proof generation time (<5–10s target)
- End-to-end testing: Multi-user simulations (private interactions, payouts)
- Basic security review: Fuzz inputs, check common ZK pitfalls
- Beta invite system: Onboarding with referral codes (private)
- Prepare mainnet migration docs
- Mainnet deployment of core contracts + frontend
- Security audit coordination (or self-audit report)
- User onboarding campaign: Landing page, demo videos, community beta invites
- Final UX refinements: Error handling, loading states, dark mode
- Post-launch metrics tracking (private analytics)
| Layer | Technology | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Blockchain | Aleo | Private-by-default records & transitions |
| Smart Contracts | Leo | ZK circuits for proofs & private logic |
| Frontend | React / Vite / Tailwind | Intuitive UI with automatic proof generation |
| Wallet Integration | Aleo Wallet Adapter | Seamless connect & sign |
| Privacy Primitives | ZK proofs, view keys, homomorphic counters | Hide graph, content, payments, metadata |
- Node.js ≥ 18
- Aleo SDK & Leo CLI installed
- Rust (required by Leo)
- Aleo Wallet (Leo Wallet browser extension recommended)
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/privcaster.git
cd priv_cast
npm installThe contract is already deployed to Aleo testnet as privcaster_v1.aleo
# View contract code
cd contracts/privcaster
cat src/main.leo
# Build locally (optional)
leo build# From project root
npm run dev→ Open http://localhost:5173
- Connect Wallet: Click "Connect Wallet" and select your Aleo wallet
- Get Testnet Credits: Visit Aleo Faucet if needed
- Create Group: Go to Groups page → Create your first private group
- Post Privately: Write and post with privacy features
- Tip Posts: Click tip button on any post
- Program ID:
privcaster_v1.aleo - Transaction: View Deployment
- Aleo Explorer: View Contract
- Network: Aleo Testnet
🤝 Contributing We welcome contributions — especially from the Aleo community, ZK developers, UI/UX designers, and privacy advocates.
Fork the repository Create your feature branch (git checkout -b feat/private-bulk-payouts) Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add ZK bulk payout circuit') Push to the branch (git push origin feat/private-bulk-payouts) Open a Pull Request
Please read CONTRIBUTING.md for full guidelines, code style, and issue templates. 📜 License MIT © 2026 PrivCaster Team ❤️ Built For A more private, authentic internet — where people can speak freely, support each other safely, and build communities without fear. If you believe privacy should be the default in social networking, star ⭐ this repo! Made with ❤️ during the Aleo Privacy Buildathon. text### Tips for Next Steps
- Replace placeholders (your GitHub username, demo URL, Discord link, etc.)
- Add real screenshots to the repo (e.g. in
/public/screenshots/) and update image paths - Create empty placeholder files:
DEVELOPMENT.md,CONTRIBUTING.md - Add a
LICENSEfile with MIT text - When you have a live demo, update the badge and link
This version is clean, focused, detailed, and optimized to impress buildathon judges by emphasizing Aleo-native privacy innovation. Let me know if you want sections expanded (e.g. more technical depth on ZK circuits) or a matching DEVELOPMENT.md file!1.4sFast
privcaster_v1.aleo is now live on Aleo testnet!
Transaction: https://explorer.aleo.org/transaction/at1tqar505gk8x7wrsuyx4pc7cdmhyfdh7knlvtg7ktq08wur4c0gxq6ghvky
📡 Broadcasting deployment for privcaster_v2.aleo... 💰Your current public balance is 22.65341 credits.
✔ This transaction will cost you 7.359829 credits. Do you want to proceed? · yes
✉️ Broadcasted transaction with:
- transaction ID: 'at1z6sgscd2n2nkkfstffww9mhf656t9hlrlpa5fh9985mxdtd59syqufjqk8'
- fee ID: 'au1gvmacpw668mr894yxp0qx7e9njwgz7mzt433k56pz3xmq9f0jqpqg0z54x'
- fee transaction ID: 'at1gl9kq5vl3mg3nqcu8kasn4kv748kt8trkr8v9pcv4lkhhmqjac8sl42xjt' (use this to check for rejected transactions)
🔄 Searching up to 12 blocks to confirm transaction (this may take several seconds)... Explored 1 blocks. Transaction accepted. ✅ Deployment confirmed!