Anonymizing User Data Across Distributed Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital content delivery systems face challenges in presenting relevant content to users while maintaining user privacy, as determining user interest is difficult due to privacy concerns, leading to ineffective content targeting.
Innovation Solution
The system anonymizes user-specific data using hashing algorithms, allowing for the selection and delivery of relevant content across distributed computing systems without compromising user privacy, by generating anonymized keywords that are processed in a way that prevents any single system from accessing user-specific information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If user-specific data is collected and stored at a single processing system for content targeting, then content relevance to users is improved, but user privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content delivery system into multiple processing systems (first processing system, second processing system, third processing system) that each handle different aspects of content delivery. User-specific data is distributed across these systems rather than centralized, with each system processing anonymized or hashed versions of user data, thereby maintaining content targeting accuracy while preventing any single system from accessing complete user profiles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hashing algorithms and anonymization techniques as intermediary processes between data collection and content delivery. These intermediaries transform user-specific data into anonymized identifiers that can be used for targeting without revealing actual user identities, creating a buffer that protects privacy while enabling personalized content delivery
2Object-affected harmful factors
If user data is anonymized using hashing algorithms across distributed systems, then user privacy is protected, but content targeting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal hashed identifier system that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects user privacy by anonymizing data, enables content targeting by matching user interests with relevant content, and allows for audience segmentation across different processing systems. The hashed identifiers act as multi-functional keys that maintain their utility for targeting while removing personally identifiable information
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple processing systems are used to distribute user data processing, then user privacy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where each processing system independently performs anonymization, content matching, and delivery functions using standardized hashing algorithms and protocols. The systems are self-sufficient in processing user data without requiring complex inter-system communication or centralized coordination, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining privacy protections
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for anonymization of user data for privacy across distributed computing systems. Example methods may include determining, by a first computer system, a request for content to present at a user device, wherein the request for content is associated with a user account, determining a first search query associated with the user account, and determining a first keyword associated with the first search query. Some methods may include generating a first hash value for the first keyword, sending the first hash value to a second computer system for identification of first content for presentation at the user device, and causing the second computer system to send the first content to the user device for presentation, wherein the first computer system does not receive the first content.