Infinite Flexibility: Higher-Order Functions in Cryptography

[sanity]

Higher-order functions, when applied to cryptography, enable the creation of custom cryptographic behavior. This is achieved through the use of WebAssembly (WASM) code, a binary instruction format that executes code in a secure and efficient sandbox, making it an ideal choice for this purpose.

Consider a scenario where a user, Alice, intends to delegate authority to another user, Bob, under specific conditions. Alice creates a delegate certificate using WASM. This certificate is essentially a WASM function that takes arbitrary data as input and produces a Boolean output, indicating whether the input is authorized by the certificate. For instance, the function could verify that the input is digitally signed using Bob's private key. The certificate is designed to expire and can be revoked under certain conditions. Alice signs the WASM function with her private key and shares the signed function with Bob. Bob can then use this function to request access or perform actions that Alice has approved.

This method provides a precise and flexible mechanism for sharing authority. It could be applied to complex systems such as Liquid Democracy, a voting mechanism where voters can delegate their voting power to others and retract it as needed. Another potential application could be a key recovery mechanism, where a group of trusted individuals can vote to revoke or override a user's master cryptographic key if it is compromised.

Higher-order cryptographic functions will enable a wide range of uses for Freenet and offer unprecedented flexibility, much like higher-order functions do in conventional programming. These functions will be key in the creation of decentralized apps that prioritize user privacy and independence.

In summary, applying higher-order functions to cryptographic operations like signatures and certificates introduces a new level of flexibility. This approach allows the certificate itself to contain code that specifies exactly what it is certifying, offering almost infinite flexibility..