Building a Privacy-First URL Shortener on Blockchain

Описание и применение

Создан приватный сокращатель URL, использующий клиентское шифрование и хранение зашифрованных ссылок в децентрализованной блокчейн‑сети, чтобы сервер не видел целевые URL и не хранил данные в централизованной базе.

Задача

Traditional URL shorteners log user data, track browsing patterns, and sell data, creating privacy risks and a single point of failure.

Результат

The system provides a privacy‑first URL shortener where the server never sees the destination URL, no centralized database exists, and data is stored immutably on a blockchain, reducing hacking and censorship risks.

Рабочий процесс

• 1. User enters a URL in the client UI.
• 2. Client generates a random IV and AES‑GCM key using Web Crypto API.
• 3. Client encrypts the URL buffer with the key and IV.
• 4. Client sends the ciphertext to a Cloudflare Worker endpoint.
• 5. Worker writes the ciphertext to the Cronos blockchain via a transaction.
• 6. Worker returns a short code (hash of transaction or stored key).
• 7. User shares the short link (cryptly.workers.dev/<code>).
• 8. When the link is visited, the browser fetches the ciphertext from the blockchain via the Worker.
• 9. Browser decrypts the ciphertext locally with the stored key and IV.
• 10. Browser redirects to the original destination URL without exposing it to any server.

Доказательства

Encrypted URL stored on Cronos blockchain

Источник

Server never sees destination

Источник