Privacy-Preserving and Trustworthy Localization in an IoT Environment

TL;DR

The paper tackles privacy-preserving localization in IoT by embedding localization data and trust management within a permissioned blockchain. It leverages Hyperledger Fabric private data collections and chaincode to enforce experiment- and role-based data access, while computing device reputation, observation trust, and a target position via multilateration. Using the CLOVES UWB testbed, the authors demonstrate correct, privacy-preserving operations and trustworthy data processing, yet acknowledge performance limitations and prototype constraints that require further optimization. The work provides a practical, extensible framework for secure IoT localization with explicit privacy controls and verifiable trust mechanisms, suitable for real-world deployments and future improvements. Overall, the approach advances privacy and trust in IoT localization by combining access-controlled data sharing, blockchain-based trust computation, and verifiable localization algorithms.

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly prevalent in various applications, such as healthcare and logistics. One significant service of IoT technologies that is essential for these applications is localization. The goal of this service is to determine the precise position of a specific target. The localization data often needs to be private, accessible only to specific entities, and must maintain authenticity and integrity to ensure trustworthiness. IoT technology has evolved significantly, with Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology enhancing localization speed and precision. However, IoT device security remains a concern, as devices can be compromised or act maliciously. Furthermore, localization data is typically stored centrally, which can also be a point of vulnerability. Our approach leverages the features of a permissioned blockchain, specifically Hyperledger Fabric, to address these challenges. Hyperledger Fabric's collection feature ensures data privacy, and its smart contracts (chaincode) enhance trustworthiness. We tested our solution using a network of devices known as CLOVES, demonstrating robust performance characteristics with UWB technology. Additionally, we evaluated our approach through an indoor localization use case.