Enhancing privacy, censorship resistance, and user engagement in a blockchain-based social network

Conference paper

Thiha, M., Yetgin, H., Piras, L. and Al-Obeidallah, M.G. 2025. Enhancing privacy, censorship resistance, and user engagement in a blockchain-based social network. Mannion, M., Mannisto, T. and Maciaszek, L. (ed.) 20th International Conference on Evaluation of Novel Approaches to Software Engineering (ENASE). Porto (Portugal) 04 - 06 Apr 2025 SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications. pp. 67-79 https://doi.org/10.5220/0013238500003928
TypeConference paper
TitleEnhancing privacy, censorship resistance, and user engagement in a blockchain-based social network
AuthorsThiha, M., Yetgin, H., Piras, L. and Al-Obeidallah, M.G.
Abstract

In the contemporary digital era, online social networks have become integral to global communication, facilitating connectivity and information dissemination. Millions of people use centralised social media platforms today, which raises concerns about user control, privacy, and censorship. These platforms profit from user data and content, as the single authority of these platforms has complete control over user data. Although peer-to-peer decentralised online social networks were developed to address the weaknesses in centralised platforms, they still have significant limitations in terms of securing privacy, and handling censorship resistance issues. In this work, we propose a novel decentralised online social network leveraging blockchain technology to address these pressing issues in centralised and peer-to-peer online social networks. The proposed system prioritizes user control by decentralizing data storage and network governance, thereby reducing the issues associated with centralized control. By employing blockchain technology, individuals maintain ownership of their data and gain greater control, thereby enhancing user privacy protection. Additionally, the cryptographic security and immutable ledger of blockchain technology protect freedom of expression and information exchange by resisting censorship. Moreover, with the integration of incentivization mechanisms, users are incentivized to contribute to the network’s growth and sustainability, as well as promoting engaging content and encouraging ownership among users. The evaluation results show that our blockchain-based decentralised online social network (DOSN) accomplishes the aim and objectives for preserving privacy, censorship resistance and enhancing user engagement in online social network with the use of blockchain technology.

KeywordsDecentralised Social Network; Privacy; Censorship; User Engagement
Sustainable Development Goals9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Research GroupSoftware Engineering, Theory & Algorithms (SETA) Research Group
Conference20th International Conference on Evaluation of Novel Approaches to Software Engineering (ENASE)
Page range67-79
Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 20th International Conference on Evaluation of Novel Approaches to Software Engineering - ENASE - Volume 1
EditorsMannion, M., Mannisto, T. and Maciaszek, L.
ISSN2184-4895
ISBN
Hardcover9789897587429
PublisherSCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications
Publication dates
Print04 Apr 2025
Publication process dates
Accepted06 Jan 2025
Deposited28 Feb 2025
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

This is an author produced accepted manuscript version of a conference paper included in this repository with permission. The final paper is published by SCITEPRESS as: Thiha, M., Yetgin, H., Piras, L. and Al-Obeidallah, M.G. 2025. Enhancing privacy, censorship resistance, and user engagement in a blockchain-based social network. Mannion, M., Mannisto, T. and Maciaszek, L. (ed.) 20th International Conference on Evaluation of Novel Approaches to Software Engineering (ENASE). Porto (Portugal) 04 - 06 Apr 2025 SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications. pp. 67-79 https://doi.org/10.5220/0013238500003928

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.5220/0013238500003928
LanguageEnglish
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