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I wonder - is there a way to keep the data open to certain users, but closed to the public eye for privacy purposes? Can a frontend be designed this way? This is a key point for me to figure out.

I would think with encryption it is possible. Encrypt the data on chain so that it is not legible to the public. Could also mess with custom JSONs which might be a way to integrate it in.

Excellent. This is essential. Would this feasible with a smart contract applied on the base layer of the blockchain?

No smart contract at the base layer of Hive and we will not have them. There will be ones built on spk and vsc. How they interact with the chain can be written into the contract I presume.

I see, that's useful info. If I understand correctly, basically, using a specific frontend can hide data from the public if it's written into a smart contract. Thanks!

With hive there is no smart contract so it has to be encrypted. But a front end can do that I believe. That is how it works with memos that are encrypted, they are on chain but cannot be read. SC come in with sidechains.

OK, I think I understand it a little bit better now. I think this can be worked out.