Title: Using blockchain to store personal information: a systematic literature review

Authors: Ricardo Martins Gonçalves; Miguel Mira da Silva; Paulo Rupino da Cunha

Addresses: Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, PT, Portugal ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, PT, Portugal ' Department of Informatics Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PT, Portugal

Abstract: Blockchain has been gaining significant interest in several domains. However, although this technology is valuable in many cases, blockchain also raises relevant challenges. Data protection is also an increasingly important subject. In particular, after GDPR was published, companies worldwide change the way they process personal data. The objective of this systematic literature review is to examine the usage of blockchain for storing personal data. The review focuses on the advantages and challenges of storing personal data in a blockchain, as well as techniques and technologies for storing personal data using blockchain. We conclude that the main concern is the immutability of blockchain records versus the mandatory change/deletion requirement found in some data protection regulations such as GDPR. However, despite the challenges, blockchain has several advantages for storing personal information.

Keywords: blockchain; distributed ledger technology; DLT; personal data; data privacy; data protection; general data protection regulation; GDPR; systematic literature review; SLR; benefits; challenges; techniques; technologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBC.2022.126289

International Journal of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies, 2022 Vol.3 No.3, pp.235 - 255

Received: 30 Dec 2021
Accepted: 12 Jun 2022
Published online: 18 Oct 2022 *

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