Using Blockchain to Secure Digital Identity and Privacy Across Digital Sectors

Abstract

In the digital age digital data has been seen as the new currency for both companies and bad actors,leading to mismanagement of personal data by both entities. This mismanagement could lead to personal databeing breached while this may prove to be beneficial to certain entities, this however is not the case for usersand digital citizens. In recent years there has been an influx in data breaches and data mismanagement casesthroughout various industries, including corporations such as Apple and Facebook, involving critical datarelating to user's digital identities, personal data, and other identifiable information. This issue may beaddressed by employing the use of blockchain technology, a technology that has been recognized as a securesystem promoting security and privacy, we can prevent this mismanagement of data and data breaches fromhappening. While blockchain is a relatively new technology, there is potential to use it in the current age of theinternet and digital identities by employing blockchain technology to secure one’s digital identity. This researchaims to propose a potential solution to the issue of data protection and data breaches by proposing andmaking use of a conceptual model which makes use of a multi-level blockchain system. The system isolatesdata from digital identities between various digital platforms to minimize the amount of data breaches thatmay occur – further minimizing the amount of personal data which may be breached. This system allows theuser to have full control over who may access their private data, while preventing bad actors from accessingthe data without the user’s authorization. The multi-level blockchain splits the user's data according toindustrial or digital sector in which their data is used, with a master blockchain acting as the connecting link toa person's digital identity. Making use of this multi-level blockchain allows for the user to control who hasaccess to their data, while remaining anonymous and secure in a digital platform‘s database or digital storage.