localfirst.fm #19 – Brooklyn Zelenka: UCAN, Beehive, Beelay
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Jan 14, 2025 Brooklyn Zelenka, a local-first researcher and creator behind UCAN and Beehive, dives into the fascinating world of decentralized access control. She explores how UCAN empowers user-controlled permissions, moving beyond traditional methods. Zelenka discusses the innovative Beehive project, which simplifies user access and document sharing, highlighting its potential to streamline cryptographic processes. The conversation also covers advancements in local-first computing, emphasizing AI integration and user privacy in document management.
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UCAN: Capabilities vs. ACLs
- UCAN (User Controlled Authorization Networks) offers a decentralized authorization system using capabilities, not access control lists.
- Capabilities, like movie tickets, grant specific permissions without needing central verification, unlike traditional bouncer-like access control lists.
Movie Ticket Analogy for Capabilities
- Brooklyn Zelenka illustrated capabilities with a movie ticket analogy: presenting the ticket grants access without ID checks.
- This contrasts with access control lists, like a bouncer checking a VIP list, highlighting UCAN's decentralized nature.
Granular Delegation with Capabilities
- Capabilities allow granular permission delegation, enabling users to restrict access as needed.
- This user-centric control enhances security, especially for automated agents like LLMs, limiting potential damage from unintended actions.