The rapid evolution of technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), is reshaping numerous sectors
The rapid evolution of technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), is transforming numerous sectors at an unprecedented pace. These advancements are critically dependent on the availability and quality of data, as higher-quality data lead to more significant insights and outcomes. Among various data types, biometric data stand out for their depth and potential utility, ranging from daily health indicators to complex genomic profiles1. This vast array of data enables a sophisticated understanding of health and lifestyle patterns, enhancing predictive models for pharmacological interventions and physiological simulations conducted *in silico2.
However, the accumulation and management of such sensitive biometric data pose significant ethical and governance challenges, particularly regarding ownership rights, which are rarely conferred upon the data creators. This misalignment between data generation and proprietary rights raises serious concerns about privacy, control, and the equitable use of personal information3. Traditional methods—such as encryption4, secure hardware5, anonymization6, and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs)7—ensure privacy and security, but they primarily focus on access control rather than decentralized ownership or monetization. While ZKPs support privacy-preserving authentication, they are computationally intensive and lack data portability. Privacy-focused databases ensure regulatory compliance but depend on centralized trust, limiting user autonomy. In contrast, NFTs offer a decentralized framework enabling verifiable ownership, secure transactions, and traceability. When combined with advanced cryptographic methods, NFTs present a scalable and privacy-enhancing solution for sensitive data management.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have emerged as a transformative solution to these challenges. NFTs are unique digital tokens powered by blockchain technology, presenting scarce digital assets with distinct value within a blockchain network. While previous studies have explored the integration of biometric data with NFTs2,8,9,10, they have remained largely conceptual, focusing on theoretical discussions. In contrast, the objective of this study is to develop a secure and decentralized framework—Cell-NFT—for the ownership, management, and application of biometric data using NFT technology.
Unlike prior research in domains like the Internet of Vehicles (IoV)11,12, the Cell-NFT framework introduces innovations tailored for healthcare. These innovations include standardized data management, robust ownership mechanisms, and cryptographic privacy-enhancing techniques, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations in healthcare and biotechnology.
Traditional database systems, despite their efficiency in storing and retrieving data, rely on centralized control for access management and data integrity. This centralized approach carries risks such as unauthorized modifications, lack of transparency, and dependence on intermediaries for trust. Conversely, blockchain technology provides a decentralized solution, where data integrity is cryptographically verifiable, and records are tamper-proof. By integrating these features, the Cell-NFT framework ensures that biometric data ownership and transactions are transparent, auditable, and invulnerable to manipulation.
The metadata schema for Cell-NFTs is not merely a replication of traditional database functions but is designed to capitalize on blockchain’s unique advantages in data security and provenance tracking. Unlike conventional databases, where data integrity relies on a central authority, blockchain-based metadata guarantees tamper-proof records, cryptographically verifiable ownership, and decentralized access control. This approach is crucial in biomedical applications, demanding regulatory compliance, transparency, and auditability. Traditional databases are susceptible to unauthorized modifications and necessitate significant trust in intermediaries, whereas blockchain mitigates these concerns by providing a transparent and immutable ledger of all recorded interactions. Through the integration of these features, our approach achieves substantial improvements in data integrity, security, and long-term reliability compared to conventional storage solutions.
Our research presents a pioneering methodology that integrates biometric data into NFTs to establish robust ownership records. Tokenizing biometric information preserves individual uniqueness and represents biological identity within the digital sphere, facilitating the secure certification of data ownership. Biometric NFTs, encompassing comprehensive digital life data, enable their governance and exchange across diverse digital platforms and marketplaces. The accompanying metadata schema is designed to boost both accessibility and practical use by streamlining data sharing and transactions, enhancing management workflows and reinforcing the foundation of a secure and efficient digital health infrastructure.
Tokenized biometric data have diverse applications, including use by hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. To address limitations in current NFT-based healthcare and biotechnology solutions, our framework employs a metadata schema and ecosystem designed for optimal data security, efficient processes, and improved accessibility. This tokenization introduces societal benefits, such as improved data management security and the emergence of new industries focused on innovative digital assets. Moreover, the work underscores the concept of individuality in the digital age, presenting both challenges and opportunities at the intersection of human behavior, ethics, and societal norms.
