IoT Lawful Interception Probe Topology for Privacy Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lawful interception methods for IoT networks face challenges in minimizing privacy intrusion while ensuring effective data collection for law enforcement agencies, particularly in providing precise and real-time information without compromising user privacy, and are not adaptable to the diverse and dynamic nature of IoT devices and networks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a topology of probes configured based on privacy requirements, determining data sources and hierarchies, and activating lawful interception operations to provide authorized information while masking unauthorized data, using a super-probe connected to a lawful interception gateway and a hierarchy of probes to manage and process information according to privacy settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If Telco-LI mechanisms are used for IoT lawful interception, then some basic information (location, call activities) can be obtained, but the information is imprecise, has time-lag, and cannot track additional IoT-specific activities and devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interception system into multiple specialized probes (communication probe, location probe, sensor probe, event probe) that each capture specific types of data from different sources. This segmentation allows comprehensive information collection without relying on a single imprecise mechanism, thereby improving both information completeness and measurement precision simultaneously.
2Loss of information
If all raw data from IoT devices is sent to law enforcement agencies in real-time, then complete information is available for investigation, but network resources are consumed and law enforcement agencies face processing constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant and authorized information elements from the vast amount of raw IoT data through a structured information model. The system identifies and extracts specific data points (location, speed, device identifiers, event types) that are necessary for investigations, discarding unnecessary raw data. This extraction process maintains information availability for legitimate investigations while dramatically reducing network bandwidth consumption and processing requirements for law enforcement agencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by selectively intercepting and transmitting only the specific information elements required for each investigation case, rather than transmitting all possible data. The system determines the appropriate level of data collection based on investigation needs, privacy requirements, and authorization levels, thereby optimizing the balance between information availability and resource efficiency.
3Device complexity
If standardized LI probes and interfaces are used as in Telco-LI, then implementation is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to diverse IoT networks, devices, and different investigation scopes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal probe architecture that can function across diverse IoT networks and devices. The standardized probe interface and information model are designed to work with multiple IoT protocols and device types through configuration rather than requiring different hardware for each scenario. This multi-functional design allows the same system to adapt to various IoT networks, devices, and investigation scopes while maintaining manageable implementation complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability through configurable probe parameters, information element selection, and flexible information models that can be adjusted based on the specific IoT network type, device characteristics, and investigation requirements. The system can dynamically configure which data sources to monitor, what information elements to collect, and how to process data based on real-time needs, enabling versatility without sacrificing implementation simplicity through rigid standardization.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive data collection is performed during LI sessions, then all communication and activities of LITG and associated users are captured, but privacy intrusion increases for both LITG and non-LITG users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of information based on its source and relevance. The system collects comprehensive data from LITG devices while applying selective filtering and masking for non-LITG users. Privacy-sensitive information from non-LITG users (such as personal communications, location data, and device identifiers) is masked or excluded, while only relevant transactional information is captured. This localized differentiation maintains data collection completeness for investigative purposes while minimizing privacy intrusion for innocent third parties.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for minimizing privacy intrusion during internet of things lawful interception. In one embodiment, a topology of probes system for providing lawful interception information for an internet of things network is provided. The topology of probes system may comprise a super-probe connected to a lawful interception gateway by a set of LI-interfaces and a hierarchy of probes connected to the super-probe. Further, the super-probe and the hierarchy-of-probes may be configured to perform LI operation according to one or more privacy requirement settings and to provide lawful interception information collected by the LI operation. Additionally, the privacy requirement settings may comprise rules that govern at least one of: content-based data exposure, prevention of access of information by predetermined users, and obfuscation of predetermined information.