## 2 Related Work  
This study relies on the utilisation of blockchain technology to augment the level of data security within the realm of e-government. Blockchain is a distributed digital ledger containing segments of cryptographically signed transactions in blocks. After undergoing confirmation and a consensus decision, each block is cryptographically connected to the preceding block (making it tamper-proof). As new blocks are inserted, it becomes increasingly difficult to modify older blocks, producing tamper resistance. New blocks are replicated across multiple instances of the distributed ledger within the structure of the network, and any disagreements are settled automatically using predetermined rules [10; 11]. In the past few years, a substantial body of literature has developed around the idea of blockchain; its popularity is primarily attributable to the following features:  
* Decentralisation: Transactions in systems that operate on separate or clustered servers are centralised and require the participation of a third party. The third party is entrusted with sending requests to the system's server(s) and waiting for a response. If a single server goes offline, the entire system will fail, creating a single point of failure [12]. Additionally, in centralised systems, all authorities are dependent on a single entity's decisions. Consequently, decisions will take longer. Using the peer-to-peer network, blockchain was able to resolve these issues. The e-government system is a prime example of a centralised system that must be improved to provide better and quicker services [13]. * Immutability: The blockchain employs cryptographic hashes that cannot be reverse-engineered. In other terms, the blockchain's transaction history is immutable, permanent, and unalterable [14]. Immutability is one of the primary benefits of blockchain features that could aid in the reduction in corruption in government. * Transparency: Blockchain transactions are public, traceable, and available to anybody with access [15]. Blockchain technology has been effectively applied in a variety of settings [16]. Many governments throughout the world are launching blockchain-based projects and have altered, proposed, or revised legislation to accommodate this new technology in various situations. According to IBM, 70% of healthcare professionals believe the application of blockchain will have the greatest impact on the industry. As a result of this technology, clinical trial management will improve, regulatory compliance will be ensured, and a decentralised platform for sharing electronic health records will be created (EHR) [17]. Furthermore, the application of blockchain in the agri-food supply chain can assure comprehensive food traceability, support market prices, protect the rights of employees, reduce the influence of supply chain intermediaries, and provide incentive systems to stimulate the growth of environmentally friendly initiatives [18; 19]. Additionally, numerous academic studies on the use of blockchain technology in energy commerce [20; 21], demand response programmes for microgrids [22; 23], as well as peer-to-peer networks have been published [24; 25]. Therefore, blockchain can facilitate the development of renewable energy sources [26]. Moreover, one of the most prominent applications of blockchain technology is protecting data privacy in various Internet of Things (IoT) domains, such as [27; 28]. By achieving high levels of traceability, accountability, security, and high-quality services, governments employ such initiatives in an effort to earn the public's trust [29]. For instance, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has adopted a number of Ethereum blockchain solutions in conjunction with distributed storage systems for data to avoid corruption and offer safe digital identity management [30]. OpenDChain is a blockchain-based application example developed in Spain [30]. This application intends to publish the datasets on the municipal website, which is accessible to the public.