Privacy and security challenges to user data in digital libraries: a literature review

This review article explores the challenges to user data privacy and security in digital libraries. It examines various privacy violations and security risks, including data breaches, and their consequences for user data and digital library services. A narrative literature review approach was adopted for data collection. Various information resources were reviewed, including journal articles and websites. Best practices for protecting user data privacy and security are explained, and real-world case studies of privacy violations and cybersecurity attacks are discussed. This is followed by a presentation of the strategies implemented by affected libraries to mitigate the impact of violations and the lessons learned. Finally, the article reviews key emerging technologies implemented by digital libraries, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain technology, focusing on their benefits and risks to user data privacy and security.