SelfKey Product Progress Report August 2018
This month, we have material updates for the SelfKey Identity Wallet, Version 0.1.0. The latest version of the SelfKey Identity Wallet is available for download here. If you are using an older version of the wallet, please restart the application and the new update will automatically download and install.
Last week marked a significant milestone for the SelfKey Foundation, as we collectively celebrated its first birthday! During our team call, Edmund discussed the major milestones achieved by the team over the past year and awesome support from the SelfKey community that has enabled us to get to where we are today. While we operate in a nascent and rapidly evolving blockchain environment, we’ve remained focused on shipping product and delivering on our long-term vision of stopping the oversharing of personal identity information.
What’s New In This Version?
One of the core features we shipped this month will eventually allow you to use “Login with SelfKey,” our browser plugin that securely authenticates your SelfKey ID, Ethereum addresses, and KYC documents — all powered by the SelfKey Identity Wallet.
Using “Login with SelfKey,” users will have one-click access to the SelfKey Marketplace
Similar to using your social media credentials for one-click login access to online portals and services, Login with SelfKey functionality will be integrated into our partners websites and services, including cryptocurrency exchanges and digital marketplace service providers.
Most critically, individuals will remain in full control of their personal data and how it’s shared to third parties.
In order for this new integration to function properly, some code changes were necessary to ensure both applications are able to communicate with each other. Additional features shipped this month include bug fixes and performance improvements, expounded on below.
Released: TREZOR & Passphrase Entry Fix
In this release, we’ve also updated a small bug with TREZOR that was not displaying the passphrase screen after entering your PIN. This is an optional feature for extra security for those that use a TREZOR hardware wallet.
If you’ve never used this functionality before and own a TREZOR, you can learn more about how it works here on TREZOR’s official blog. In summary, it’s a mechanism to prevent the unauthorized forced unlocking of your wallet which could reveal assets held within the wallet. Using different passphrases can enable the production of decoy wallets while under duress or if subjected to government controls.
Released: Login with SelfKey Integration, Phase 1
This month, we focused development efforts on Login with SelfKey, our browser plugin that allows users to securely authenticate and login to our partner sites with an Ethereum address and SelfKey ID. There are a number of components functioning in unison under the hood of this product between the UI/UX, communication protocols and secure passing of information between websites that we are releasing in Phase 1.
In Phase 1, our design team drafted the final UI of Login with SelfKey, so that it has a consistent look and brand with the SelfKey Identity Wallet. As both products complement each other, utilizing the same design will enhance the ecosystem that’s currently being developed. Portals with the updated design will be pushed to some test users to in order to receive initial feedback on the design and workflow.
As mentioned previously, changes to the code base will allow Login with SelfKey and the SelfKey Identity Wallet to communicate with each other. To enhance the security of communications, the process is encrypted with a local SSL certificate. More information and details will be provided in the next update.
Login with SelfKey will have two themes, one in light and the other in dark. The first version of the plugin will ship with the dark theme, and we will integrate the lighter theme in the future.
Upcoming Feature: Recommended Transaction Fee & Gas Prices
In last month’s update, we discussed how many people struggle on the Ethereum network with transaction fees, choosing the right amount, and having the network process it in a timely manner.
Our solution is to implement a real-time price check, verifying the latest transaction fees on the Ethereum network and reflecting those results as default recommendations inside the SelfKey Identity Wallet. This allows us to ensure users are not underpaying transaction fees, which could inadvertently stall transaction processing time or cause them to fail.
For advanced users, you will also have the option to set your own gas limit and gas price. We are currently integrating the final touches into this feature, which requires additional testing before releasing this functionality.
Update: SelfKey Marketplace & Security Audits
As we build out the SelfKey Marketplace, the Ethereum contract that manages the KEY deposits is also growing in functionality. Each marketplace vertical (i.e. Business Entity Formations, Digital Asset Exchanges, Online Platforms, etc.) will have its own unique deposit structure and duration requirements. Next steps are to conduct an additional comprehensive security audit, once we finalize additional changes to the smart contract.
Update: SelfKey Partnerships In August
TokenPort: We’ve partnered with TokenPort, a security token issuance and investment platform. Security tokens represent a new asset class and introduces an unparalleled era of potential liquidity for assets like real estate, IP, equities, bonds and copyright claims. Security tokens will enable the faster settlement of deals, easier compliance and a liquid private market that isn’t limited to traditional trading hours. It is Tokenport’s vision to make trading of security tokens easier and to provide businesses the ability and tools to scale globally.
Langnet: In August, we’ve also partnered with Langnet, a community-driven, decentralized open-network for language-based voice recognition apps and technologies. Once users submit a few minutes of voice data, they can create a unique identifier that serves as a Voice ID based on the acoustic characteristics of the voice, called vocal biometrics. Voice ID combined with blockchain lays the groundwork for securing our data and identities in the new voice economy.
Conclusion
We hope you find these updates helpful in keeping up to date with our continued progress at SelfKey! August has been a month of incremental, yet important, updates that will help us scale in the future. If you have an suggestions for feature modifications or suggestions, feel free to share them at idea.selfkey.org. We look forward to sharing next months exciting updates!
