Pseudonymous Data Analysis Using Segmented Asymmetric Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
As personal data stored in databases increases, there is a growing risk of revealing users' identities despite pseudonymization, as data correlation techniques can still infer personal information, compromising anonymity.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using asymmetric cryptographic key pairs, where a public key serves as a pseudonym for data storage and retrieval, allowing multiple identities from a single private key, enhancing anonymity by distributing data across multiple identifiers, and ensuring only the user can decrypt messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If personal data is stored in a database with increasing amounts of information, then the ability to analyze user data improves, but the risk of revealing user identity through data correlation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identifier into multiple independent components (first identifier component, second identifier component, third identifier component) that are stored and processed separately. This segmentation prevents correlation attacks by ensuring that no single component reveals the user's identity, while collectively they enable data analysis. The public key is divided into components that can be used independently for different purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the segmented identifier system with public/private key pairs) that mediates between data storage and identity protection. The public key components act as intermediaries that allow data to be associated with users without exposing identifying information. The system uses these intermediary identifiers to enable analysis while maintaining anonymity.
2Ease of operation
If a single pseudonym is used for data storage, then data retrieval is simplified, but the risk of identity inference increases with more stored features
Solution Approach 1:
The pseudonym is segmented into multiple identifier components (first, second, and third identifier components) that can be used independently or collectively. This allows the system to maintain simple retrieval operations using individual components while preventing identity inference by distributing identifying characteristics across multiple segments rather than concentrating them in a single pseudonym.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional pseudonym to a multi-dimensional identifier system. Instead of using one pseudnym string, the system uses multiple identifier components that can be combined in different ways. This dimensional expansion allows the same data to be accessed through multiple independent paths while making it computationally difficult to correlate all components to a single identity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If public keys are used as identifiers in databases, then user anonymity is enhanced, but the complexity of key pair management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the public key into multiple independent identifier components that can be managed separately. This segmentation reduces the complexity of key pair management by allowing individual components to be stored, retrieved, and used independently in different contexts, rather than requiring management of complete key pairs for every operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal identifier system where the segmented public key components can serve multiple functions. The same identifier components can be used for data retrieval, anonymity protection, and access control across different databases and applications, eliminating the need for separate key management systems for each use case.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer implemented method for analyzing data of a first user, wherein an asymmetric cryptographic key pair is associated with the first user, said asymmetric cryptographic key pair comprising a public key (118) and a private key (116), the data being stored pseudonymously in a database (138) with the data being assigned to an identifier, wherein the identifier comprises the public key (118), the method comprising: - receiving a set of rules, the set of rules describing data processing steps, - receiving the identifier, - retrieving the data assigned to the identifier from the database (138), - analyzing the retrieved data by applying the set of rules, - providing a result of the analysis.