- 07/10/2019
- Category: Commentaries
Data protection is one of the most paramount issues in the digital era. Concerns over data breach, surveillance, and micro-targeting are rising along with many news and reports telling us such things. Starting from Cambridge Analytica, 2018 Google Breach, and many more on the list. In Indonesia, there are also cases of a data breach in GoJek and Lion Air which put consumers in solicitudes. Random calls and messages to our number are one of the obvious evidence of how our data is being misused whilst we are getting used to the micro-targeted ads we see every day. Why is this happening? Can it be under our control?
Unfortunately, it’s rather true that these inconveniences are actually coming from the convenience of internet infrastructure we have today. We are lucky to be able to access everything freely through the internet. But there are consequences that come after. Retrieving our personal data is almost impossible because it is already in the cloud, which database is operated by the provider who installed the hardware in someplace out there which we do not have access to. It is a pretty centralized ledger and overpowered by a few big tech companies.
Along with these concerns, there is a proposal for a more democratic internet, highlighted on its decentralized computing system using the blockchain. This blockchain-derived innovation is getting more exposure since it offers a literal solution for having rights of our own data and digital footprints. What is decentralized computing? Is it really a thing in the near future? What are the advancements? This article aims to answer such questions.
Figure 1. Centralized Ledger vs Distributed Ledgers[1]
Data Insecurity in Cloud Service
Cloud computing undoubtedly brings a lot of conveniences and significant improvements in technology for both users and developers. Types of services available in cloud computing are including virtual IT (programming), software, and network storage.[2] These services are provided by a vendor or a third-party (cloud provider) distributed throughout the internet. One of its prominent steps is that cloud made possible of capturing and collecting massive online-data from the internet (big data) which might useful for scientific-analytical purposes as well as an input of machine learning algorithms in building artificial intelligence (AI).[3] Unfortunately, the cloud is lately suspected for some security infractions such as data breach and violation of privacy or surveillance.
The premises mainly come from its centralized data center.[4] Free cloud services are also a thing and it is not rare to find. One can enjoy cloud storage and many software online freely as long as we have an internet connection. However, the question arises, if it is free then how do the service providers get their revenues? The Cambridge Analytica case might light a hint of how our data is being monetized without our concerns. The fact which tells that the advertising service is Google’s biggest revenue might tingle our mind as well.
Figure 2. Google’s Revenue (2017)[5]
Demonopolizing Control over Data
Blockchain, on the other side, is an internet-platform with a distinctly different computing. Unlike the cloud, the data on blockchain-based computing is stored across a community of servers. That is why it is called “decentralized computing.” Blockchain is simply a network that uses a principal of a distributed ledger. It is primarily known as a platform in distributing cryptocurrencies (BTC) and it started catching public attention since its success in securing valuable things by providing the smart contracts inside the block connected in an unbreakable chain. Blockchain is also claimed to be more democratic and immutable.[6] There is no central authority in this system, every user with their own server (nodes) are connected peer-to-peer (p2p), every node is always able to know of every particular activity made by other members within the network. Node is naturally pseudo-anonymous, until the address is unveiled (in case of BTC: Wallet).[7] The data stored in the blockchain is not only encrypted but also protected by the public-key cryptography. This level of security is claimed to be the most secure data protection standard.
Proceeding its success in cryptocurrency, blockchain is started to be adapted in the broadening computing infrastructures. Some of the initial company offering services on blockchain-based decentralized computing are Ethereum[8], EOS[9], Tron[10], Blockstack[11], Storj[12], and many more companies. These companies offer a variety of services on their websites (IT service, software, and storage). On average, these companies are still on their early stages. Their principle is to sell tech products the consumer can own privately in world-wide-web. They claim that there is no possibility of non-consensual data transfer because it is blockchain-based.
Blockchain for Future Data Protection
Finally, it can be concluded that Satoshi Nakamoto’s revelation on Blockchain is something worthily appreciated as it opens many opportunities of internet development ahead. But for now, it is premature to say that this innovation is an ultimate solution for the escalating security issues on today’s internet. We are clearly still on the early stage of blockchain-adaptation computing. The moment we are talking about it right now is just as abstract as people started talking about internet in the early 90’s. Even if it has radical or revolutionary ideas of internet reform, it is not impossible that someday our relationship with blockchain is as close as we are now with the cloud computing. The next question is how long do we have to wait until it becomes reality?
Editor: Janitra Haryanto
Read another article written by Rachmadita K.
[1] Belin, O. (2019). The Difference Between Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technology”. Trade IX [online] Available at https://tradeix.com/distributed-ledger-technology/ [Accessed 5 Oct 2019]
[2] Mitchell, B. (2019). What is Cloud Computing?. Life Wire [online] Available at https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-cloud-computing-817770 [Accessed 3 Oct 2019]
[3] Mahadi, S. (2017). Today’s Centralized Cloud and The Emerging Decentralized Edge. Forbes [online] Available at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/12/05/todays-centralized-cloud-and-the-emerging-decentralized-edge/#13e752876b3c [Accessed 1 Oct 2019]
[4] Zyskind, G., & Nathan, O. (2015). Decentralizing privacy: Using blockchain to protect personal data. IEEE Security and Privacy Workshops. IEEE [online], pp. 180-184. Available at Https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?Arnumber=7163223 [Accessed 1 Oct 2019]
[5] Coufano, G. (2018). How Does Google Make Money? It’s Not Just Advertising!. Four Week MBA [online] Available at https://fourweekmba.com/how-does-google-make-money/ [Accessed 4 Oct 2019]
[6] Noble, B. (2018). Why Blockchain is Cloud 2.0: Expert Take”. Coin Telegraph [online] Available at https://cointelegraph.com/news/why-blockchain-is-cloud-20-expert-take [Accessed 1 Oct 2019]
[7] Swan, M. (2015). Blockchain thinking: The brain as a decentralized autonomous corporation. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, [online] 34(4), pp. 41-52. Available at https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?Arnumber=7360255 [Accessed 1 Oct 2019]
[8] For more about Ethereum is available on its official website, see https://www.ethereum.org/.
[9] For more about EOS is available on its official website, see https://eos.io/.
[10] For more about Tron is available on its official website, see https://tron.network/.
[11] For more about Blockstack is available on its official website, see https://blockstack.org/.
[12] For more about Storj is available on its official website, see https://storj.io/.
