Federated Privacy Management via Multi-Node Data Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for online privacy management rely on entities accessing user data, which shifts trust but does not effectively protect user privacy.
Innovation Solution
A federated privacy management system that distributes the handling of online data among multiple independent nodes in a multi-layer network, where no single node has access to all user data, and includes features like packet inspection, device fingerprint obfuscation, and encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single entity provides online services and accesses user data, then service functionality is improved, but user privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the privacy management system into multiple independent nodes (first layer nodes, second layer nodes, user management node) that distribute data handling responsibilities. No single node has access to all user data, segmenting the potential harm and enabling functional versatility across the distributed network while protecting user privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary nodes (first layer nodes and second layer nodes) that mediate between user devices and web hosts. These intermediaries perform privacy services like packet inspection and data filtering, allowing service functionality to continue while preventing direct access to user data by any single entity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If trust is transferred from web host to privacy service entity, then user privacy is partially protected, but trust is merely shifted rather than resolved
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the privacy service into multiple independent nodes, the system prevents trust from being concentrated in a single entity. Each node handles only specific portions of data, making the system more reliable since failure or misuse by one node does not compromise overall privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-manage their privacy by providing them with control over their data through the federated structure. Users can configure their own privacy settings and data handling preferences, reducing dependency on trusting a single service provider.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If data is accessed and processed by privacy service nodes, then privacy services are provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex privacy service functionality across multiple specialized nodes. First layer nodes handle initial data filtering, second layer nodes perform deeper analysis, and the user management node coordinates overall operations. This segmentation makes the system more manageable and scalable while maintaining comprehensive privacy service capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the nodes to perform multiple functions (packet inspection, data filtering, logging, encryption) so that a single node can serve multiple purposes. This reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive privacy protection, thereby managing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for federated privacy management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for federated privacy management may include: (1) receiving, at a user management node, and from a client application executing on an electronic device, a device identifier; (2) receiving, by the user management node, and from a second layer node in a multi-layer federated privacy management network, data comprising at least one of browsing data and application data from a web host or a server, wherein the data is in response to an internet protocol request from the client application via a first layer node and the second layer node to the web host or the server, and the data is associated with the device identifier; (3) receiving, at the user management node, a request for the data from the client application using the device identifier; and (4) communicating the data to the client application.