IMAGECHAIN: Secure Image Ownership with Blockchain

Abstract

ImageChain is a Python application that combines image steganography, blockchain, and Interplanetary File System (IPFS) to create a secure, decentralized system for image metadata management. The system allows users to hide secret messages in images using steganography, keeping data confidential and authentic. The images are then stored on IPFS, which creates a distributed storage hash. IPFS hash and title, description metadata are stored in a local Ethereum blockchain through Solidity-written smart contracts. Updating and retrieving metadata, as well as transferring ownership among Ethereum addresses through Web3.py, are supported by the platform. Image processing is carried out through OpenCV. With these technologies together, transparency, traceability, and tamper-evident record-keeping across the life cycle of the digital image are provided. ImageChain illustrates the value of the integration of steganography, decentralized storage, and blockchain technology to create secure systems for use in digital rights management, forensic processing, and secure communication.