Building a Techno-legal Framework for Blockchain Technology and Data Protection under EU Law

Blockchain has emerged as a disruptive technology that can revolutionize various domains. Despite its potential, blockchain's decentralized and immutable nature poses significant challenges in ensuring compliance with the European data protection landscape, notably the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis and insights into the complex legal and technological challenges arising from the interaction between the decentralized nature of blockchain technology and the centralized structure of the data protection legal framework, focusing specifically on the use case of Self-Sovereign Identity. By investigating technical solutions, guidelines, recommendations, and policy and law suggestions, this research aims to define a comprehensive techno-legal framework to reconcile blockchain and GDPR and ensure a delicate balance between technological advancement and the protection of individual privacy and data security.