Personal Data Ledger Access Control and Revocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users lack control over how their personal data is managed and distributed among service providers, leading to issues such as outdated information, unauthorized use, and difficulty in revoking access after account closure.

Innovation Solution

A platform utilizing a User Access Provider (UAP) device manages user data through a distributed ledger, enabling users to set permissions, authenticate data, and synchronize it across service providers, allowing for revocation of access and deletion of data when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users provide personal information to service providers, then service capabilities are enhanced, but users lose control over how their data is managed and distributed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capabilitiesVSAvoiduser control over data
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a distributed ledger as an intermediary system that mediates between users and service providers. The ledger records data sharing agreements and enables users to control their data without requiring direct intervention in each service provider's systems. This intermediary layer restores user control while maintaining service capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional centralized data management mechanisms with a distributed ledger-based system. Instead of relying on service providers to manage user data, the system uses cryptographic records on a distributed ledger to authenticate and control data sharing, substituting mechanical centralized control with decentralized cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If service providers retain user data after account closure, then data availability for future return is maintained, but unauthorized use and data persistence continue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidunauthorized data use
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where users can revoke their data sharing agreements through the distributed ledger. When users close accounts or revoke permissions, the ledger records these changes and propagates them across the network, automatically updating service providers' access rights. This feedback loop ensures data unavailability after account closure while maintaining the ability to restore access if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If users manually update personal information across all service providers, then information accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidupdate time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables users to perform preliminary actions by setting up a single data source and sharing agreement on the distributed ledger. Once configured, the system automatically propagates updates to all service providers without requiring manual intervention at each provider. This preliminary setup eliminates repetitive manual updates while maintaining information accuracy across all services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If service providers analyze and use user data extensively, then service personalization is improved, but user privacy and data security are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice personalizationVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments user data into discrete, controlled units on the distributed ledger. Instead of providing service providers with unrestricted access to comprehensive user data, the system segments data access based on specific sharing agreements and permissions recorded on the ledger. This segmentation enables personalized services within security boundaries defined by user-controlled data sharing terms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3890237B1Personal data ecosystems
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LTD
  • EP3890237B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3890237B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3890237B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure leverage distributed ledger technologies to exert user-centric control over data shared with third party service providers. User access provider (UAP) devices manage user-configured permissions and metadata that control access to user data by the third party service providers. Permissions may enable service providers to access, write, and share user data with other service providers having appropriate permissions. Users may provide data to various service providers as they interact with services supported by the platform and as the data is received it may be validated and then stored on the distributed ledger. Data may be periodically synchronized across different service provider nodes responsible for maintaining the distributed ledger to ensure consistency with respect to each user's data. Additionally, users may revoke permissions, such as if the user stops using a service, and data associated with revoked permissions may be purged or deleted from the distributed ledger.