Enhancing Social Protection Through Blockchain-Based Identity Verification And Data Communication: A Systematic Review

Abstract.

This study reviews blockchain's potential to enhance social protection programmes through identity verification and data communication. Traditional systems face issues like unreliable identity verification and data vulnerability, which blockchain's decentralized, immutable, and transparent nature can address. The study aims to analyse blockchain's benefits, current implementations, and deployment challenges in social protection. Using a systematic literature review, 101 articles from 2020-2023 were analysed. The results show blockchain enhances security, transparency, and efficiency in social protection, with successful cases in cash transfers and digital identities. However, challenges include scalability, security, and regulatory issues. Future research should focus on lightweight blockchain models, privacy protections, and the socio-political context of implementations. The study concludes that blockchain can make social protection systems more secure, efficient, and inclusive, but overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles is essential.

Keywords: blockchain, data communication, identity verification, poverty reduction, social protection