Confidential Computing consists in protecting data privacy while data is in use. It leverages a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) to process data in a privacy-preserving way. A TEE is a secure area of the main processor. Its purpose is similar to that of FHE.
Advantages
- Users can keep their privacy, while being able to enjoy a service they appreciate.
Limitations
- Requires the right server infrastructure in place.
- TEE is not verifiable.
Could it be useful for our requirements?
- Since we are focusing on social apps that are predominantly used for exchanging information and opinions, rather than those designed for maintaining personal relationships or sharing personal life details, these information and opinions are not meant to be encrypted. They are instead expected to be publicly widespread (such as on Reddit). Instead of encryption, we are more interested in anonymity—making sure the unencrypted opinions cannot be correlated back to originating from a specific public individual. This anonymity feature can be provided by ZKP, not Confidential Computing.
- It is however great to keep it in mind, as it could be a useful building block.
