Blockchain-Based Model for Secure and Fair Data Provision in Crowdsourced Drone Services

Current centralized systems for crowdsourced drone services face problems in maintaining data integrity, fairness in data exchanges, and efficient resource allocation. These issues are critical in applications such as bushfire management, where accurate and timely data are essential. In response, we propose a blockchain-based model that creates a decentralized marketplace for secure data provisioning. In this system, drone operators send real-time environmental data to bushfire management authorities, and the data are recorded on a blockchain to ensure traceability. The model includes a time commitment-based mutually verifiable fairness mechanism to prevent dishonest behavior and to ensure that both data providers and consumers follow the agreed terms. Two new consensus mechanisms, Proof-of-Data Integrity (PoDI) and Proof-of-Service (PoSv), are introduced to confirm data authenticity and service quality. Additionally, a dynamic trust model that combines direct and indirect trust metrics is implemented to further support system reliability. Ethereum smart contracts are used to automate secure payment processing and to enforce transaction rules. This approach addresses the shortcomings of current systems and provides a clear framework for secure and fair data management in emergency response scenarios.