Consent Verification System Using Encoded Relationship Facts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parental control systems for online services are often crude and rely on parent-driven configurations, lacking control from online services and facing challenges in verifying parental consent, as they cannot easily establish the identity of the consenting party.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for controlling data processing service usage based on verified consent, involving encoding relationship facts using one-way functions, comparing encoded assertions to stored facts, and controlling service operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parental control systems rely on parent-driven configurations at the operating system level, then parental control capability is achieved, but the system complexity increases and online services cannot control access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary consent verification system that operates at the online service level rather than requiring operating system-level parental control software. This mediator verifies parental consent through encoded relationship facts, allowing online services to control access without complex parent-driven configurations at the OS level.
2Ease of operation
If online services implement consent verification without encoding, then consent collection is simple, but the ability to verify parental identity and relationship is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms identifying information into encoded form using one-way functions, changing the parameter state from readable text to hashed values. This allows the system to maintain simplicity in consent collection while significantly improving verification accuracy, as the encoded form prevents unauthorized access but allows valid parental consent to be verified through matching encoded relationships.
3Measurement precision
If credit card details are used for age verification, then age validation is achieved, but parental responsibility verification cannot be confirmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential verification element (parental consent) from the problematic credit card verification system. Instead of relying on credit card details that only prove age, the system extracts and verifies the specific relationship between parent and child through encoded relationship facts, confirming actual parental responsibility rather than just age.
4Reliability
If parental control systems require proactive parent configuration, then access restrictions can be set, but the burden on parents increases and services cannot enforce consent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service model where the online service automatically handles consent verification by encoding and checking relationship facts. Parents do not need to proactively configure complex parental control settings; instead, the service itself verifies consent through the encoded system, reducing the burden on parents while maintaining effective access control.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method controls, based on verified consent from a first individual, a data processing service in relation to usage of the service by a second individual. Access to the service, or processing and storage of data by the service, is controllable based on verified consent. A database includes encoded relationship facts, each specifying a consent relationship between two individuals identified by respective identifying information The relationship facts are encoded by applying one-way functions to the identifying information such that the identifying information is substantially irrecoverable from the encoded relationship facts. A request is received specifying an asserted consent relationship between the first and second individuals identified by first and second identifying information, and the one-way functions are to generate an encoded relationship assertion, and determining whether the encoded relationship assertion matches an encoded relationship fact. Operation of the service is then controlled depending on the determination.