Investigating the potential of blockchain technology for geospatial data sharing: Opportunities, challenges, and solutions
Tarik Chafiq, Rida Azmi, Abdelhamid Fadil, Mohammed Ouadoud
Abstract
Blockchain technology holds transformative potential for geospatial data sharing by offering enhanced security, transparency, and decentralization. This paper explores the integration of blockchain into managing geospatial data, focusing on its capabilities to revolutionize data storage, identification, property rights confirmation, and traceability. Through a comprehensive review of current blockchain applications and a detailed analysis of scalability, privacy, security, and cost concerns, this study identifies key challenges hindering blockchain adoption in geospatial data workflows. To address these issues, the research proposes solutions such as off-chain scaling, advanced encryption techniques, and cloud-based blockchain infrastructures. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning blockchain applications with existing legal and regulatory frameworks, including GDPR and other data protection laws. While blockchain presents significant opportunities for improving geospatial data management, this study concludes that successful implementation requires overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles. Future research should focus on developing standardized protocols and exploring innovative use cases to maximize the benefits of blockchain in geospatial contexts. • Blockchain offers potential solution for geospatial data sharing. • Identifies and discusses the significant applications of blockchain for sharing geospatial data. • Blockchain can play a decisive role in handling deception in the field of geospatial data. • Blockchain technology offers secure & transparent geospatial data sharing. • Identify and ensure the integrity and reliability of the data.