Decentralized Key Protocol (DKP): A Hybrid Framework for Privacy-Preserving File Storage and Sharing in Social Networking

The Decentralized Key Protocol (DKP) is a hybrid framework designed to enhance privacy, security, and user control in social networking applications transitioning from centralized to decentralized architectures. DKP combines centralized storage for scalability with blockchain-based access control and integrity verification. Files are stored on centralized servers with random tags, anonymizing user data, while key-tag-hash tuples on the blockchain ensure secure access and file integrity. A permission request smart contract enables secure file sharing, where followers must request access for each file view, with the contract verifying their status and granting one-time access to the tag and hash. This paper presents DKPs architecture, evaluates its benefits and challenges, and demonstrates its suitability for privacy-conscious social platforms. DKP offers a practical balance between decentralization, usability, and performance, addressing critical issues in data privacy and trust.