Abstract

Online Social Networks (OSNs) have become a significant communication platform where users invest considerable time to share personal information and lifestyles. However, the widespread use of OSNs is often matched by serious privacy concerns, as evidenced by various recent scandals and data breaches that have shown their vulnerabilities. Identifying proper requirements for OSNs during the initial stages of software development will help mitigate the issues associated with requirements determination, which have been recognized as a primary factor in the failure of software projects. It will also alleviate the adverse consequences of incomplete requirements, such as project delays, cancellations, and the release of substandard software products. This paper aims to outline both the functional and non-functional requirements of the Sensitive Data Protection Models, which leverage Blockchain technology in conjunction with cryptographic methods, hashing algorithms, and consensus mechanisms to protect users' sensitive data. The proposed model shall guarantee that users maintain complete control over their data while ensuring privacy, trust, and data availability among untrustworthy peers on OSNs. This research is ongoing, and as part of future work, the prototype model is being developed for deployment within a real social network setting.

Keywords: Requirement Engineering, Sensitive Data Protection Model, Online Social Network, Blockchain Technology, Data breaches