A Blockchain-Based Solution to Reconcile Privacy and Identification Needs in Localization

Abstract

The increasing use of localization devices for location-based services has led to an explosion in user location data. This raises significant privacy concerns that often conflict with the need for identification and accountability in critical scenarios like criminal investigations or public health emergencies. Research is facing the challenge of balancing privacy with data utility, guaranteeing trust in verification. This paper proposes a novel blockchain-based solution to reconcile the conflicting requirements of user privacy and accountability in localization. Our scheme leverages the transparency and immutability of blockchain to record verifiable location proofs. To ensure user privacy against routine disclosure, the solution integrates elliptic curve cryptography and Zero-Knowledge Proofs, allowing a verifier to confirm a user's presence without revealing sensitive information. Our solution also prevents the verifier from disclosing proof of a user's past presence to third parties, further enhancing privacy. Moreover, the proposed system provides a mechanism for accountability, allowing a designated authority to override privacy safeguards and access location data when legally mandated for public interest reasons, thereby reconciling privacy and identification needs.