Innovative Voting App Challenges Russian Election Results
Mark Feygin, former lawyer for the feminist protest group Pussy Riot, has initiated a blockchain-based referendum through the Russia2024 app to contest Vladimir Putin’s recent inauguration. This move represents a significant effort by Russian opposition activists to leverage technology in political protest.
Details of the Russia2024 App and its Capabilities
The Russia2024 app utilizes Rarimo’s “Freedom Tool,” a blockchain solution that incorporates zero-knowledge cryptography to ensure voter anonymity and security. Developed by Kyiv-based Rarilabs, this tool was designed to facilitate secure and private voting, free from surveillance concerns.
Blockchain Technology Enhancing Voter Privacy
This app marks a pivotal step in employing blockchain technology for electoral processes. It enables Russian citizens to anonymously participate in polls and protests against the government, without fear of being tracked. The votes are recorded on the Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain Arbitrum, ensuring they remain unalterable.
Process for Voters
To use the app, citizens verify their identity by scanning their biometric passports on their phones. This data is then processed to issue an anonymous voting pass. Zero-knowledge cryptography is utilized to disconnect the user’s identity from the voting pass, enhancing the privacy of the process.
Significance of the Referendum
The launch of this referendum is not just a technological feat but a bold political statement. It reflects the increasing role of digital solutions in supporting democratic expressions and protests, especially in environments where such freedoms are constrained.
Background and Context
The initiative gains further significance against the backdrop of Pussy Riot’s history of political activism. Nadya Tolokonnikova, a co-founder of Pussy Riot and a vocal advocate for cryptocurrency, has previously raised funds for various causes through NFT sales, demonstrating the group’s longstanding commitment to leveraging modern technology for activism.
Expert Commentary
Lasha Antadze, co-founder of Rarilabs, emphasized the broader implications of their technology. “Freedom Tool was built to give a voice to people living in regimes where free expression is suppressed. Its implementation in Russia is an early example of how blockchain and zero-knowledge cryptography can meet the urgent global need for privacy-enhancing technologies.”
