Access Point Privacy Settings Communication via ANQP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in effectively communicating and obtaining user consent for data privacy settings, particularly in compliance with regulations like GDPR, which require transparent and accessible privacy notices.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution utilizes the Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) and Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) to transmit and receive privacy settings and disclaimers between access points and electronic devices, allowing devices to explicitly or implicitly consent to these settings, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If privacy settings and disclaimers are communicated through existing ANQP protocols, then compliance with data privacy regulations is improved, but the complexity of implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing ANQP information elements (Network Info IE and Operator Info IE) for multiple purposes - both their original functions and the new function of conveying privacy settings and disclaimers. This multi-functionality approach avoids creating entirely new protocol structures, thereby reducing implementation complexity while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the Access Point (AP) acts as a mediator between the network operator and the electronic device. The AP receives privacy settings from the operator, stores them locally, and then communicates them to devices using existing ANQP protocols. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing privacy information management at the AP level.
2Ease of manufacture
If privacy information is transmitted using existing ANQP information elements, then the ease of implementation is improved, but the clarity and transparency of privacy communication may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments privacy information into distinct components within the existing ANQP information elements. Specifically, it uses the Network Info IE for network-related privacy settings and the Operator Info IE for operator-related privacy settings and disclaimers. This segmentation allows clear organization and transmission of different types of privacy information using established protocol structures, maintaining both ease of implementation and information clarity.
3Speed
If consent mechanisms are integrated into existing association protocols, then the speed of connection establishment is improved, but the reliability of consent verification decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the Access Point transmit privacy settings and disclaimers to the electronic device before the association process is completed. The device must indicate its consent to these privacy terms as a prerequisite for finalizing the connection. This preliminary disclosure and consent mechanism ensures that users are informed before connecting, maintaining reliable consent verification while integrating seamlessly into the existing association protocol timeline.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are described to enable an access point to communicate privacy settings and disclaimer to an electronic device. An AP transmits an indication that the AP supports communication of privacy settings and privacy disclaimer. The AP receives, from an electronic device, a request for information about the privacy settings and privacy disclaimer associated with the AP. The AP transmits, to a network server such as an ANQP server, a query request for information about the privacy settings and privacy disclaimer associated with the AP. The AP receives, from the network server, a query response including information about the privacy settings and privacy disclaimer associated with the AP. The AP transmits, to the device, a response including information about the privacy settings and privacy disclaimer associated with the AP.