Privacy Enhanced Browser Context-Aware Cookie Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern web browsers' cookie management settings often inadvertently disable desirable website functions, as they either accept or reject all cookies without differentiation, leading to interference with services like Google's search and mail services when set to block specific domains.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for filtering user identifying information, such as IP addresses and cookies, based on context criteria, where the browser determines whether to filter out this information before sending requests to servers, using an anonymous proxy to mask identifying details and maintain privacy settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If all cookies are blocked to enhance privacy, then user identifying information is filtered, but desirable website functions are disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments cookie handling by creating separate rules for different domains and cookie types. Instead of a blanket block, the system divides cookie management into domain-specific segments where third-party cookies can be blocked while first-party cookies are allowed, preserving website functionality while enhancing privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing context-dependent cookie filtering. Different quality levels of cookie filtering are applied to different domains based on their trustworthiness and functionality requirements. High-trust domains receive permissive treatment while low-trust domains receive strict filtering, optimizing both privacy and functionality locally.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If context-based filtering is implemented, then privacy is enhanced while functionality is preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-evaluating domains and establishing trust ratings before cookie filtering decisions are made. Domains are assessed in advance and categorized into trust levels, creating a lookup table that simplifies real-time filtering decisions. This preliminary classification reduces the complexity of real-time decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary trust rating system that mediates between privacy protection and functionality preservation. This intermediary layer evaluates domains and provides guidance on filtering decisions, simplifying the complex task of context-based filtering by delegating evaluation to a specialized intermediary component.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for filtering user identifying information. A user request for content is received, the request including user identifying information. A determination is made as to whether the user request satisfies context criteria. If the user request satisfies the context criteria, the user identifying information is filtered out from the user request. The filtered request is then sent to a content provider.