Device Fingerprinting for Cookie-Free Online Visitor Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face challenges in identifying users who do not log in or provide identifying information, leading to inflexible user identification systems, device-side data storage issues, and poor user experiences, which are undesirable and non-compliant with regulations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a server-side computing service digital platform that utilizes device fingerprints to track devices and provide visitor identification, generating a unique identifier from device parameters, allowing for user identification without requiring manual inputs or device-side data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users manually log in or provide identifying information, then user identification accuracy is improved, but user experience and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic device fingerprinting without requiring user action. The fingerprinting code executes autonomously in the user's browser, collecting device parameters and generating identifiers without manual input, thus maintaining identification accuracy while eliminating the need for users to manually log in or provide information
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-generates device fingerprints and stores them server-side before users need identification. By performing the identification setup in advance automatically, the system eliminates the need for users to manually log in during their browsing sessions, improving convenience while maintaining identification accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If device-side data storage is used for tracking, then user identification capability is improved, but data security and compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a server-side intermediary layer that stores and manages device fingerprints instead of storing them on user devices. The fingerprinting code runs in the user's browser but communicates with and stores data on the service provider's server, eliminating device-side storage security risks while maintaining identification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of device characteristics (fingerprint) that uniquely identifies the device without storing sensitive personal data on the device itself. This fingerprint copy is stored server-side, enabling identification while minimizing data security risks by avoiding storage of actual personal information on user devices
3Ease of operation
If service providers collect user data for personalized interactions, then user experience is improved, but privacy protection and data minimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different data collection strategies to different contexts: minimal device fingerprinting data is collected for basic identification and personalization, while more sensitive personal information is only collected when users explicitly choose to log in or provide it. This localized approach to data collection improves user experience through personalization while protecting privacy by minimizing unnecessary data gathering
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided systems and methods for a computing framework for online visitor identification through device fingerprints. An online transaction processor may provide account authentication and/or user identity verification without requiring on-device cookies and other device-side storage of data through device fingerprints. When unknown devices access a merchant website or application, they may engage with various processes, such as accounts, checkout and payment, etc. However, users may not login, and so they may not identify available products and benefits. As such, a device fingerprinting framework may be provided to fingerprint devices based on their attributes and parameters, which may be used to associate those devices with accounts and/or past user identifications. When the devices later engage with internal or external platforms, the device fingerprint may be used to, with a high degree of accuracy, identify these devices and therefore associate them with accounts for product recommendations and logins.