Blockchain-based Decentralized Identity Verification and Management System
Abstract
The concept of digital identity plays an important role in accessing financial transactions, medical care, educational resources, government services, and electronic commerce. In most cases, the available systems depend on centralized databases controlled by a single institution, which causes single points of failure, poses the risk of data leaks, and denies individuals control over their personal data. Blockchain technology provides an effective way of addressing these challenges through the application of a decentralized ledger that cannot be controlled by any single entity, thereby ensuring safe storage and verification of personal data. This survey considers eleven recent scientific articles devoted to the application of blockchain for digital identity, Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), Verifiable Credentials (VCs), privacy-enhanced authentication methods, biometric authentication techniques, and specific use cases such as academic credential verification and government services applications. The literature review is assessed based on the following criteria: privacy, security, user control, scalability, and accountability, and the most common research gaps in these areas are discussed. In light of this assessment, the paper presents a conceptual four-layer framework (Identity Issuer, Identity Holder, Blockchain/DID Registry, and Identity Verifier) for DIDs in e-governance applications, based on the methodology used in the literature review and practical aspects of its application.
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