Messaging Account Sensitive Data Obscuring and Deletion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensitive information stored in messaging accounts remains vulnerable to unauthorized access, posing risks such as identity theft even after emails are read, as they are not permanently deleted.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that access messaging accounts to identify and obscure or delete personal information, using a processor and memory with executable instructions to parse contents, obfuscate, and remove sensitive information, ensuring irreversible obscuration or deletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If emails are stored in an email account for future reference, then information accessibility is improved, but security risk increases due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively obscuring only the sensitive personal information within emails while leaving the rest of the email content accessible. This allows the email to remain useful for reference while protecting specific sensitive data points from unauthorized access
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting and obscuring sensitive information when emails are received or stored, before any potential unauthorized access occurs. This proactive approach ensures sensitive data is protected while the email is still in the account
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensitive information is permanently deleted from messaging accounts, then security risk is reduced, but information loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selectively targets only the sensitive personal information portions of emails for deletion or obscuring, while preserving the rest of the email content. This ensures security risk is reduced without causing unnecessary loss of legitimate information
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and identifies sensitive personal information from email content using pattern recognition, then removes or obscures only those extracted sensitive elements, separating them from the rest of the email content for selective handling
3Object-affected harmful factors
If automatic identification and obscuring of personal information is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting, identifying, and obscuring sensitive information without requiring manual user intervention. The device performs these security functions autonomously, reducing the need for complex user configurations while maintaining high security standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors email content, identifies sensitive information patterns, and adjusts its obscuring actions based on the detected information types, creating a self-regulating security system
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a device includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory bears instructions executable by the processor to access a messaging account and parse contents of the messaging account to identify personal information to at least obscure in the messaging account.