The PeT project aims to resolve the conflict between transparency and privacy when processing data in digital-based services. It does so by allowing the validation of published key performance indicators without revealing the underlying data.
This platform aligns the requirements with incentives for different interested parties. With the participation of a third-party service provider and the state-of-the-art in data management and encryption, it builds an innovative solution for attesting interactions between end-users of services and consultations carried out by independent watchdogs.
The result is increased transparency, which will give the public more confidence in institutions.
Backend software for the service provider (data processing and publishing of aggregated information), which leverages recent research into data management systems known as polystores to integrate existing databases with cryptographic functionality.
Frontend software for the end user, in the form of a mobile application that serves as a wallet for certificates obtained when interacting with services and for their verification.
Backend software for the independent entity that ensures verification and identification and authentication services.
From the user’s point of view, the solution will allow the service that wants to prove its integrity to obtain a certificate attesting to its request. This digital certificate can be generated in form of a short alphanumeric code or a QR code for easy storage and use via a mobile app.
The independent entity provides the user and watchdogs with monetization to consult and verify the information necessary to assess performance (for example, service statistics or position in the queue). This allows to prove the integrity of this information and increases the perceived trust and functionality of the service.
INCM would play the role of an independent entity in the proposed architecture, achieving its strategic goals in the areas of technological governance and sustainability, and internal efficiency, leveraging existing know-how in authentication and identification technologies.
MEET THE TEAM
Ana Nunes Alonso
Biography
Ana Nunes Alonso is a Senior Researcher at the Trust Software Laboratory (HASLab) at INESC TEC.
She is also a Guest Professor at the University of Minho.
Her research interests focus on developing reliable distributed data management and processing systems, along with exploring fault tolerance mechanisms.
José Orlando Pereira
Biography
José Orlando Pereira is a Senior Researcher at INESC TEC and an Associate Professor at the University of Minho.
His research interests primarily focus on developing reliable distributed systems, especially with applications to data management.
Nuno Faria
Biography
Nuno Faria is a researcher at INESC TEC and an Assistant Guest Professor at the University of Minho.
His main research interests lie in managing large-scale distributed data.
Rui Carlos Oliveira
Biography
Rui Carlos Oliveira is a Senior Researcher at INESC TEC and an Associate Professor at the University of Minho.
His research and innovation interests are focused on developing scalable data management and processing systems that ensure the privacy and confidentiality of information.