TrADS: A Trust-Aware Decentralized Social Network

Authors

  • Valentin Siegert Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5763-8265
  • Dirk Leichsenring Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany
  • Alejandro Wurts Santos Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany
  • Martin Gaedke Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/jwe1540-9589.2443

Keywords:

Trust, social linked data (Solid), re-decentralization of the web, decentralized web, social networks

Abstract

In today’s data-driven world, people are increasingly prioritising data privacy and control. This awareness has sparked an initiative for a decentralized web, where web applications no longer rely on centralized data storage. Solid, a prominent approach for a decentralized web, allows users to store their data in decentralized pods of their control. However, the integration of data from various and potentially untrusted sources can lead to malicious or harmful results and impair user experience. To solve this problem for social networks, we propose a trust-aware and decentralized web application called TrADS. It utilises the MVC pattern to integrate external data from Solid pods based on trust evaluations. In this article, we extend our first paper on TrADS with further details on related work assessment, concept and implementation. We are also extending our evaluation to a second international user study with another 64 participants. We measure the user experience instead of pure usability and form two separate groups of participants, one of which experiences the trust awareness of TrADS and one of which does not. The results do not yet show significant improvement in the user experience but show that after using trust awareness in a social network, users favour a network with such features.

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Author Biographies

Valentin Siegert, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany

Valentin Siegert is a research associate and doctoral candidate at Chemnitz University of Technology. His research interests include web engineering, cybersecurity, semantic web and web of things. With his research, he is currently working on a trust awareness of decentralized web applications using linked data in a dynamic and automated manner.

Dirk Leichsenring, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany

Dirk Leichsenring, an alumnus of Chemnitz University of Technology, has a keen interest in open source software, web technologies, and leveraging trust awareness to enhance user experience on the web. His master’s thesis focused on trust in decentralized Solid-based social networks.

Alejandro Wurts Santos, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany

Alejandro Wurts Santos is a full stack developer currently working at AI Conver. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Web Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology. His professional journey includes experience at Oracle, where he worked in enterprise application development, and earlier work at a metrology technology firm where he developed industrial software solutions. With an undergraduate degree in Mechatronics from Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Wurts combines engineering fundamentals with web development expertise.

Martin Gaedke, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Germany

Martin Gaedke is a pioneering researcher in the fields of Web Engineering and Smart Collaboration. As Full Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Computing Center at Chemnitz University of Technology, he leads research activities that empower people, software, and machines to collaborate more intelligently in our hyper-connected world. With over 30 years of experience, a PhD from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and visiting roles at leading institutions like TU Wien, Martin’s research explores new approaches to Web-based solution development, Data Engineering, and Trustworthy AI. His work doesn’t stay in the lab — in close collaboration with enterprises such as Daimler, Microsoft Research, and Hewlett-Packard, his research helps shape secure, reliable, and human-centered digital ecosystems. He has co-authored over 250 scientific publications and actively mentors early-career researchers and future technology leaders. His commitment to bridging academic rigor with real-world relevance continues to strengthen the foundations of digital infrastructures that are open, ethical, and intelligently collaborative.

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Published

2025-07-31

How to Cite

Siegert, V. ., Leichsenring, D. ., Santos, A. W. ., & Gaedke, M. . (2025). TrADS: A Trust-Aware Decentralized Social Network. Journal of Web Engineering, 24(04), 529–562. https://doi.org/10.13052/jwe1540-9589.2443

Issue

2025: Vol 24 Iss 4

Section

ICWE 2024