Reconciling Blockchain with the GDPR : Insights from the German Asylum Procedure,

Title data

Rieger, Alexander ; Stohr, Alexander ; Wenninger, Annette ; Fridgen, Gilbert:
Reconciling Blockchain with the GDPR : Insights from the German Asylum Procedure,.
In: Reddick, Christopher G. ; Rodríguez-Bolívar, Manuel Pedro ; Scholl, Hans Jochen (ed.): Blockchain and the Public Sector : Theories, Reforms, and Case Studies. - Cham : Springer International Publishing , 2021 . - pp. 73-95 . - (Public Administration and Information Technology ; 36 )
ISBN 978-3-030-55746-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55746-1_4

Project information

Abstract in another language

Blockchain solutions are a promising alternative for use in the public sector when the delegation of workflow governance to a central authority is not possible or desirable. In particular, blockchain supports the retention of decentralized structures and allows individual authorities to share process information over the blockchain while simultaneously maintaining control over their own data and data repositories. However, the use of blockchain solutions also introduces challenges, such as reconciling blockchain with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR demands that blockchain solutions involve clear responsibilities for compliance, rely on specific lawful bases for processing personal data, and observe rights to rectification and erasure. Here, we describe how Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees managed these challenges and created a GDPR-compliant blockchain solution for the coordination of the German asylum procedure.