Chinese Researchers Use Quantum to Protect E-Commerce Transactions

Insider Brief

• Chinese researchers report an advance in creating a quantum algorithm for non-repudiation in e-commerce transactions.
• Their e-commerce protocol is based on a new form of quantum digital signature (QDS).
• The team successfully showcased a five-user quantum network using this protocol.

Chinese scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in e-commerce security, developing the world’s first five-user online trading platform utilizing advanced quantum technology, Xinhua News Agency reports. Th research, detailed in a recent publication in the journal Science Advances, has the potential to improve online transaction security.

According to the state news service, traditional e-commerce systems, protected by classical encryption algorithms, are increasingly susceptible to hacking, especially with the advent of powerful quantum computing. To address this vulnerability, cryptologists have been exploring the use of quantum entanglement – a phenomenon where particles remain interconnected regardless of distance – to distribute unhackable quantum states, thereby safeguarding against identity theft and payment fraud.

Until now, the challenge has been developing a quantum algorithm that prevents message senders from denying offers they’ve made in transactions, a concept known as non-repudiation. Researchers from Nanjing University and Renmin University of China have made a significant advance in this area. Their novel e-commerce protocol is based on a new form of quantum digital signature (QDS). This signature generates correlated bit strings among multiple remote parties through quantum laws, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of transactions.

The innovative QDS approach merges quantum secret sharing with one-time universal hashing, according to the news service. This combination guarantees transaction non-repudiation, a critical aspect for secure and trustworthy online trading. In a practical demonstration, the team successfully showcased a five-user quantum network using this protocol. This network ensures that contract signings and payments are executed swiftly and accurately, negating the need for a pre-identified trusted third party.

“Our work contributes to the further development of e-commerce in the quantum era by providing a practical and efficient solution with enhanced security,” Yin Hualei, an associate professor from Renmin University of China, told Xinhuanet.

Xinhua News Agency is the official state news agency of China.