A systematic literature review of ethical concerns in blockchain technology: towards a values-driven framework

Abstract

Blockchain technologies are increasingly applied in areas such as digital identity, healthcare, public governance, and smart-city services, where design and governance entail significant ethical and societal implications. Despite growing scholarly attention, the literature on blockchain ethics remains fragmented, unevenly prioritised, and weakly connected to practical system design and governance. This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review examining how ethical values, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches are conceptualised and applied. Using a PRISMA-guided review of Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore, 1,051 records were screened, resulting in 91 peer-reviewed studies published between January 2014 and April 2025. Findings indicate that ethical focus is concentrated on privacy, transparency, security, and decentralisation, while fairness, inclusivity, communal accountability, and environmental responsibility receive limited attention. The literature is further characterised by predominant conceptual analysis, limited empirical evidence, inconsistent use of formal ethical or design frameworks, and fragmentation across application domains. These patterns reveal a persistent principle-practice gap, where ethical commitments are articulated but seldom translated into design requirements, governance mechanisms, or accountability structures. In response, the study proposes a values-driven ethical framework integrating ethical values, design principles, and governance mechanisms to support more context-sensitive and accountable blockchain systems. It further recommends embedding ethical impact assessments, participatory oversight, accountability and redress mechanisms, and context-sensitive implementation requirements into blockchain policy, procurement, and deployment processes.