Blockchain technology adoption for enhancing user privacy and data security in libraries: A scoping review

Abstract

Blockchain is becoming an important emerging technology in libraries for managing and securing large amounts of sensitive data, including users’ demographic and personal information, and other library-related challenges to enhance operational efficiency. This scoping review aimed to collect, review, and synthesize literature that explores the areas of blockchain use for enhancing user privacy and data security, its benefits, the associated challenges, and the implications of its adoption. The authors explored seven databases (Scopus, Google Scholar, Emerald, and IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, LISA, and LISTA) to conduct the review. The study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Out of the 1501 articles initially identified, 23 documents were considered eligible and suitable for inclusion after the final data extraction. The study found that promising areas for the application of blockchain in libraries for safeguarding user privacy and strengthening data security, include the protection of personal user information, decentralized storage of user records, digital rights management, user authentication, and the protection of intellectual property. The adoption of blockchain technology has the potential to improve user privacy and data security in libraries, offering benefits such as improved data integrity, tamper-resistant and immutable records, enhanced protection of patron data, reduced risks of unauthorized access and data breaches. Literature also indicates that key blockchain attribute, such as decentralization, immutability, traceability, and cryptographic safeguards are important in supporting privacy protection and data security across library operations. However, several challenges may hinder the adoption of blockchain for user privacy and data security, including high energy consumption, integration difficulties, legal and regulatory uncertainties, technical complexity, high-costs, and limited awareness and technical skills among library professionals. This study aims to presents a comprehensive synthesis of blockchain technology adoption for strengthening user privacy and data security in libraries.