Datensparsamkeit – the German belief that we should handle only the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish our purpose.

For our UC Berkeley School of Information capstone project, we wanted to build something that embodies datensparsamkeit. Data privacy and ownership are key interests for the entire team, but for many people, these topics are often afterthoughts.

That’s why we created Portal, a mobile application that aggregates data streams from a user’s digital life with Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare, and Spotify.

On the outside, Portal appears to be like any other app, allowing users to retrace memories from a particular day through a friendly interface. However, unlike many other apps, Portal makes it a point to not store any of its users’ data. Your data is shredded, encrypted, and distributed across the blockchain network, making it impossible for anyone but you to access it without your personal key.

We’re launching soon! Come see our capstone project presentation at UC Berkeley’s South Hall on Thursday, May 12, 2016. View on Eventbrite →

Your Digital Identity

Our digital identities are fragmented and scattered across the Internet. We want to help you put them back together. Connect with Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare and Spotify and reclaim your data.

Privacy by Design

Your memories make up who you are. And that’s why keeping your data private is so important to us. Relive your memories with the peace of mind of knowing that there isn’t a company looking over your shoulder.

Transparency & Choice

We make it a priority to be clear and transparent about how your data is being collected and stored. You always have the choice to decide what happens with your data – we don’t assume by default.

See How Portal Works

Meet the Team

We are a group of Master of Information Management & Systems students at the UC Berkeley School of Information, graduating in May 2016. Portal is our capstone project, building on a wonderful two years’ worth of education and insight from our classes, extracurricular activities, and our own interests. We are advised by Professor John Chuang and Professor Kurt Beyer.

Alexander Jones, Full-Stack Engineering
Sindhuja Jeyabal, Back-End Engineering
Aditya Mishra, Back-End Engineering
Stephanie Snipes, Front-End Engineering, Design
Stacey Baradit, User Research