Decentralized Consent Network for User Data Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies for user data privacy and control online are cumbersome, compromising security and privacy, failing to provide transparency in data usage, and lacking user control over their data across multiple platforms.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized consent network architecture that allows users to manage their data through a user-controlled system, with separate storage of user identity and profiling data, using blockchain for consent management, enabling granular control over data access and usage across multiple third-party platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually navigate and control data settings on each online service account, then user control over data privacy is achieved, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser control over data privacyVSAvoidTime spent managing data settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple data setting controls across different online services into a single centralized interface. Users can manage consent preferences for multiple third-party services through one unified system, eliminating the need to navigate each service's individual settings pages and significantly reducing the time required to control data privacy across platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal control mechanism that works across multiple different online services and platforms. A single consent management system provides multi-functional capabilities to control various types of user data (personal information, browsing history, purchase behavior) across diverse services, making the solution broadly applicable and highly efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If user data is stored in centralized databases, then data access and processing is efficient, but security and privacy protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveData securityVSAvoidData access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments user data into separate categories and stores different types of data in distributed locations rather than a single centralized database. Personal identifiable information, profiling data, and consent records are separated and stored across multiple decentralized nodes, enhancing security through distribution while maintaining efficient access through organized data structures and indexing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary consent management layer that sits between users and third-party data access requests. This intermediary validates consent parameters, checks data availability, and facilitates authorized access without requiring direct database connections, thereby maintaining security protocols while enabling efficient data sharing when consent is granted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If third parties access user data without transparent consent mechanisms, then data usage flexibility is improved, but user privacy control and transparency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveData usage flexibilityVSAvoidTransparency in data usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the consent management system continuously monitors and records data access requests, consent status, and usage parameters. Users receive notifications and can view logs of who accessed their data and for what purposes, providing ongoing transparency while maintaining flexible data usage capabilities through granular consent controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system requires preliminary consent actions from users before any third-party data access occurs. Users must explicitly grant consent with specific parameters (time limits, data types, purposes) before data can be shared, ensuring transparency is established in advance rather than after data usage begins, while still allowing flexible usage within the consented parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11797698B2Decentralized consent network for decoupling the storage of personally identifiable user data from user profiling data

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 CONCORD TECHNOLOGIES LP

AI summary

A computer implemented method for tracking and securing user data, the method including providing a user data vault that stores user data, providing the user data to display on a user interface, collecting access rights and permission settings, storing the access rights on a blockchain consent network, and providing access to remote users. The system and methods utilize blockchain technology, encryption, and a novel data structure (e.g. consent tokens) that enhance the security, transparency, and user experience regarding user data collection.