Proposal to Contribute to SimPPL’s Social Media Data Donation Tool

[Annu881]

Respected Mentor Dhara Mungra and the SimPPL Team,

I am Annu Rana, a Bachelor of Technology student in Computer Science and Engineering (AI & ML), and an open-source contributor passionate about building ethical, privacy-focused technology. I am thrilled to express my interest in contributing to the Open-Source Social Media Data Donation Tool under SimPPL.

This project is meaningful because it helps collect real user engagement data—such as scroll depth, time spent, and interaction behavior—while protecting user privacy and ensuring full consent. Most platforms only offer broad analytics, but this tool enables a deeper, anonymized understanding of how people engage with various types of content, including AI-generated material. I truly support this approach and its focus on transparency.

I am especially excited about contributing to the development of a browser extension using WebExtension APIs (Manifest V3), ensuring compatibility across browsers like Chrome and Safari. With my background in JavaScript, TypeScript, React, and backend tools like Node.js, Python, MongoDB, and REST APIs, I’m confident in contributing to both the frontend user engagement tracking and secure backend integration aligned with SimPPL’s system.

In the past year, I’ve built multiple full-stack projects such as Kanblo and EngineEx, focusing on clean UI, backend workflows, and privacy-conscious features. I’ve contributed to real-world open-source CircuitVerse, Learning Equality, and NRNB Cytoscape, enhancing UI/UX, resolving issues, and learning from collaborative workflows. I also completed the Summer of Bitcoin 2025 Bootcamp, gaining exposure to decentralized networks and the Nostr protocol. Additionally, I’ve been selected as a Campus Ambassador for GirlScript Summer of Code 2025, promoting open-source participation across my college.

Here’s how I can contribute:

• Build and style the browser extension interface

• Implement event tracking (scroll, hover, time-on-post) with user consent

• Develop backend logic to securely store anonymized data

• Write beginner-friendly documentation for future contributors

• Support gamification features like opt-in leaderboards

• Create Hindi content or user walkthroughs to improve accessibility

I understand the importance of ethical development and privacy. I will ensure no data is collected without clear permission, and that the extension stays lightweight, secure, and user-focused.

I am available to dedicate 12-14 hours per week to this project and am committed to long-term contribution, even after the initial phase. I believe this project will not only support meaningful research but also help promote ethical and open digital practices in the developer community.

Thank you for considering my application. I would be grateful for the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with the SimPPL team.

Sincerely,
Annu Rana
📧 Email: rannaannu@gmail.com
🔗 GitHub: https://github.com/Annu881
🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/annu-rana-b21b85325
📄 Resume: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e2WnJBjI-ieCoPFxTQXuD2OMiGhoZvQZ/view?usp=drive_link