DECENT is a decentralized publishing platform, which we first covered last year. Using blockchain technology, it allows creators to freely share their content on a peer-to-peer network while maintaining a secure record of ownership. Although it’s still under development, they now have a working prototype to demonstrate how it works.
As we’ve previously explained , DECENT allows users to upload any digital content to its peer-to-peer network, including books, movies and video games. Along with it, they issue a DECENT transaction, which logs them as the author on the blockchain.
If the media is intended for sale, the data is encrypted using a public/private keypair. The data and private key are then divided and distributed to several hosts (called “publishers,”) obsoleting reliance on a central server. Using an incentive system analogous to Bitcoin mining, the publishers verify blocks in the DECENT chain and are rewarded with a cryptocurrency called DCT.
In order to access the encrypted files, consumers issue their own DECENT transactions, sending enough DCT to cover the purchase price. Once it is confirmed on the blockchain, the publishers hosting it send all the data and key pieces to the new owner(s), and the designated DCT are redeemed by the content author. Almost nothing is kept by corporate middlemen, whereas publishing things like e-books costs more than 50% of your earnings using traditional methods.
This also circumvents censorship by third parties, and DECENT’s pseudonymous nature can protect the participant’s identity, as well. The result is freedom of speech for all those involved, a blessing to countries like China where those who voice or disseminate unsanctioned opinions are regularly threatened. Fighting for free speech is one of DECENT’s primary goals, as elaborated upon in their white paper (a work in progress). Demonstration
The prototype was first demonstrated at the beginning of 2016. As […]
