Browser Extension for Automatic Tracking Tool Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved tools to manage personal data in compliance with privacy and security policies, particularly for individuals to minimize the number of entities processing their data, and for automatically blocking tracking technologies on websites without user consent.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that scan webpages to identify tracking tools, determine their categories, and generate program code to block execution of scripts that invoke unauthorized tracking tools, while also providing user consent prompts for authorized categories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually manage cookie consent preferences, then control over personal data processing is improved, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy complianceVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting tracking tools, determining their categories, and blocking unauthorized ones without requiring manual user intervention. The browser extension autonomously manages privacy compliance by scanning webpages, identifying tracking technologies, and applying blocking rules based on pre-configured user preferences stored in the browser's storage mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring user consent preferences in the browser's storage before actual tracking occurs. When a webpage loads, the system checks pre-established rules and automatically blocks tracking tools that violate user preferences, preventing the need for real-time manual decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If third-party cookies are used to track user behavior, then advertising personalization is improved, but user privacy and data security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead personalizationVSAvoidprivacy breach risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of tracking tools into a beneficial privacy protection mechanism. By detecting and blocking unauthorized tracking technologies, the system transforms potential privacy breaches into enhanced user privacy control, allowing personalized advertising only when users explicitly consent to specific tracking categories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The browser extension acts as an intermediary between websites and users, mediating the interaction with tracking tools. It scans webpages, identifies tracking technologies, determines their categories, and blocks unauthorized ones while allowing authorized tracking to continue for legitimate advertising purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If automated tracking tool blocking is implemented, then privacy protection is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the privacy protection function into distinct operational modules: webpage scanning, tracking tool identification, category determination, and blocking execution. Each module handles a specific aspect of the privacy protection process, making the overall system more manageable and easier to implement while maintaining comprehensive privacy coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The browser extension performs multiple functions within a single integrated system: it scans webpages for tracking tools, identifies their categories, determines user consent status, and executes blocking actions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate privacy protection tools while maintaining comprehensive privacy protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12277191B2Data processing systems and methods for automatically blocking the use of tracking tools

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 ONETRUST LLC

AI summary

Data processing systems and methods, according to various embodiments, are adapted for determining a categorization for each tracking tool that executes on a particular webpage based on a variety of criteria, such as the purpose of the tracking tool and its source script. The system may compare the characteristics of tracking tools on a webpage to a database of known tracking tools to determine the appropriate categorization. When a user visits the webpage, the system analyzes these categories and determines whether the tracking tool should be permitted to run based on the categories and/or other criteria, such as whether the user has consented to the use of that type of tracking tool.