A blockchain-based user-centric identity management toward 6G networks

The developing Sixth-Generation (6G) network aims to establish seamless global connectivity for billions of humans, machines, and devices. However, the rich digital service and explosive heterogeneous connection between various entities in 6G networks can not only induce increasing complications of digital identity management but also raise material concerns about the security and privacy of user identity. In this paper, we design a user-centric identity management that returns the sole control to the user self and achieves identity sovereignty towards 6G networks. Specifically, we propose a blockchain-based Identity Management (IDM) architecture for 6G networks, which provides a practical method to secure digital identity management. Subsequently, we develop a fully privacy-preserving identity attribute management scheme by using zero-knowledge proof to protect the privacy-sensitive identity attribute. In particular, the scheme achieves an identity attribute hiding and verification protocol to support users in obtaining and applying their identity attributes without revealing concrete data. Finally, we analyze the security of the proposed architecture and implement a prototype system to evaluate its performance. The result shows that our proposed architecture can ensure that users effectively manage their digital identity in 6G networks.