Blockchain in the Era of Information and Communication Technology

Abbas (Mehrdad) Shahsavarezadeh
PhD Candidate in Communication Studies

The rapid growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) today poses challenges such as data security, digital platform monopolies, and trust in intermediaries. In this context, blockchain emerges as one of the foundational innovations of the twenty-first century, offering a distinct response to these challenges. Initially known through cryptocurrencies, the technology has now expanded into areas such as social communication, data management, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Nature and Characteristics

In the simplest definition, a blockchain is a distributed ledger that stores data or transactions in a chain of blocks. Each block contains transaction data, a timestamp, and a cryptographic hash of the previous block. This chained structure prevents data from being altered without detection.

Blockchain rests on three core principles:

• Cryptography: to secure and preserve data confidentiality;

• Consensus: to validate transactions without the need for a central intermediary or authority;

• Distribution: to store data across hundreds or thousands of independent nodes worldwide.

Four fundamental features of blockchain are:

• Decentralization: data are stored in a distributed manner, so power or information is no longer concentrated in a central entity, breaking information monopolies.

• Transparency: all network participants can view and verify transactions, replacing institutional trust with collective trust.

• Immutability: once data are recorded on the network they cannot be deleted or edited, making blockchain a reliable archive for official records.

• Security: the combination of cryptography and collective consensus renders the network nearly impervious to intrusion or cyberattack.

Consequently, blockchain is not merely a technology but a novel model for socially organizing information and trust that can redefine communication structures.

Applications in Technology and Communications

In information technology, blockchain plays a key role in a new generation of systems:

• Cybersecurity: preventing data forgery and digital intrusions.

• Internet of Things (IoT): enabling secure exchanges among billions of connected devices.

• Decentralized cloud computing: replacing centralized servers with a distributed network of users.

In social communications, blockchain challenges traditional notions of media and power. Decentralized social networks return data and content ownership from monopolistic platforms to users. This shift can foster freer, more transparent communication spaces based on peer-to-peer trust.

Final Word

Blockchain should be seen beyond a mere technology; it represents a transformation in the concepts of communication, trust, and data ownership. In a world where information equates to power, blockchain redistributes that power. By removing intermediaries, the technology returns the human being to the center of the network, where each individual is both a producer and a guardian of data. The future of communications, especially in digital societies, depends on the understanding and adoption of this technology. Countries and organizations that respond early to this transformation will play a leading role in shaping the “new communicative order,” in which digital trust replaces centralized control.

References:

• Nakamoto, S. (2008). Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.

• Tapscott, D., & Tapscott, A. (2016). Blockchain Revolution. Penguin.

• European Commission (2023). EU Blockchain Strategy.

• World Bank (2022). Blockchain and Emerging Technologies Report.