Avatar PI Data Restriction by Proximity and Trust Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual environments, users' personal identifiable data (PI data) may be inadvertently disclosed to untrusted users, posing a privacy risk when avatars represent or interact on behalf of users.
Innovation Solution
A system and method to determine the proximity and trust relationship between avatars in a virtual environment, allowing users to restrict PI data presentation through user interfaces, and implement data protection measures such as muting, disguising voice, redacting communications, and pixelating avatars for untrusted users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If avatar independently or semi-independently represents user in virtual environment, then user interaction capability is improved, but PI data disclosure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments PI data into multiple categories (e.g., contact information, location data, personal details) and applies different disclosure rules to each category based on trust relationships. This allows the avatar to independently interact while selectively disclosing only appropriate data types to specific users, resolving the contradiction between interaction capability and data protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary trust management layer that mediates between the user's PI data and the virtual environment. This intermediary automatically evaluates trust relationships and controls data disclosure, enabling the avatar to act independently while preventing unauthorized PI data access through automated trust verification.
2Measurement precision
If user directly controls avatar, then PI data control precision is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring trust relationships and PI data disclosure preferences before the user enters the virtual environment. This allows the avatar to operate with high control precision automatically, while the user only needs to make initial setup decisions rather than continuously managing data disclosure during interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the avatar automatically manages PI data disclosure based on pre-established trust relationships. The user defines disclosure rules once, and the system autonomously applies these rules during all avatar interactions, eliminating the need for continuous user intervention while maintaining precise control over data exposure.
3Reliability
If trust relationship verification is implemented, then PI data security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal trust verification mechanism that handles multiple types of PI data (contact information, location, personal details) through a single integrated trust evaluation framework. This multi-functional approach improves security across all data types while avoiding the complexity of implementing separate verification systems for each data category.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of trust verification from binary (trusted/not trusted) to a multi-level scale with different disclosure permissions for each level. This allows nuanced control over PI data access based on relationship strength, improving security while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized parameter-based decision making.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first virtual location of a first avatar of a first user within a virtual environment, determining a second virtual location a second avatar of a second user within the virtual environment that is in proximity to the first virtual location, and determining that the second user has an untrusted relationship with the first user. Further embodiments include presenting on a user interface of a first communication device of the first user a group of actions for restricting personal identifiable (PI) data of the first user presented by the first avatar in the virtual environment to the second user, receiving a selection of a first action from the group of actions for restricting the PI data, and restricting presentation of the PI data in the virtual environment according to the first action. Other embodiments are disclosed.