Editable Blockchain Hashing for Data Removal and Chain Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The non-editable nature of blockchains restricts their development due to issues like permanent storage of malicious information and inability to comply with regulations such as GDPR, limiting their adoption and usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication method that utilizes a first hash function, such as a chameleon hash function, for editability, and a second hash function, like a common hash function, for unique identification, allowing blocks to be modified while maintaining integrity through unique hash values and verification mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the blockchain uses a traditional hash function for block identification, then each block has a unique identifier ensuring integrity, but the block content cannot be modified without breaking the chain's consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hash function into two distinct components: a first hash function (chameleon hash) that enables editable block content while maintaining hash consistency, and a second hash function that provides unique block identification. This segmentation allows the blockchain to simultaneously achieve editability and integrity verification by assigning different functional roles to different hash mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the blockchain stores malicious information permanently, then the blockchain maintains its immutable and secure nature, but it cannot comply with regulations like GDPR that require data deletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of the hash function from a traditional fixed hash to a chameleon hash function that accepts an editability parameter. When the editability parameter is enabled, the block content can be modified while maintaining hash consistency through the chameleon property. This parameter change allows the blockchain to transition between immutable and editable states, enabling compliance with data deletion regulations while maintaining security through the cryptographic properties of the chameleon hash.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the blockchain allows block modification, then it can remove unwanted data and comply with regulations, but it may compromise the chain's consistency and security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the chameleon hash function as an intermediary mechanism between block content and block identification. The chameleon hash maintains the cryptographic link between parent and child blocks even when content is modified, by allowing the hash value to change in a controlled manner that preserves consistency. This intermediary enables data editability while safeguarding chain consistency through its special cryptographic properties.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This application relates to a communication method and apparatus. A first node sends a first message. The first message includes at least one of request information and information about a first transaction, the request information is used to request to modify a second transaction, the first transaction is a modified second transaction, and the second transaction is stored in a first blockchain. The first blockchain includes N blocks, an ith block in the first blockchain includes a first field and a second field, and the second field is used to store a second preset value or a second hash value of a previous block whose block height is the same as a block height of the ith block. When i=1, the first field is used to store a first preset value, or when i is greater than 1 and less than or equal to N, the first field is used to store a first hash value of a previous block whose block height is different from the block height of the ith block, where i is an integer ranging from 1 to N. Editability of the block is implemented by using the first hash value, to implement editability of the blockchain.