Sensitive Data Transmission Reporting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are often unaware of the personal data being collected by mobile applications and its transmission to various recipients, leading to concerns about data privacy and compliance with different legal jurisdictions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for reporting attempted transmissions of sensitive information, which identifies and notifies users of such transmissions using a postcard metaphor, providing details on the intended recipient and the data being transmitted, and summarizing multiple attempts categorized by sender, recipient, or data item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile applications collect and transmit personal information to provide free or low-cost services, then user service quality and application functionality are improved, but user data privacy awareness and control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a notification system that provides feedback to users about data transmission activities. The system monitors application data transmissions and sends notifications to users, enabling them to understand what data is being collected and where it is being sent. This feedback loop restores user awareness and control over their personal information while allowing applications to continue their data collection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification component that acts as a mediator between the application's data transmission activities and the user. This intermediary system translates technical data transmission events into user-friendly notifications, bridging the gap between application functionality and user awareness without preventing the underlying data collection operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If applications transmit data to multiple recipients for business purposes, then application functionality and service value are improved, but user control and awareness of data destinations are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex data transmission process into distinct, manageable notification events. Each transmission to different recipients is broken down into separate notification instances, allowing users to understand and control each data destination individually. This segmentation transforms the complexity of multiple simultaneous transmissions into discrete, comprehensible events.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system serves as an intermediary that simplifies the complex multi-recipient transmission scenario for users. It aggregates and presents transmission information in a standardized format, making the complexity of data flowing to multiple destinations manageable and understandable without reducing the underlying service value.
3Ease of operation
If applications collect comprehensive personal information to enhance service personalization, then user experience quality is improved, but user privacy risk and data exposure are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback through notifications that inform users about data collection and transmission activities in real-time or near-real-time. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand the scope of data being collected for personalization purposes and the destinations where it is being sent, enabling informed decisions about their privacy risk exposure while maintaining personalized service benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method for reporting the attempted transmission of sensitive information may include (1) identifying an attempt by at least one software program running on a computing device to transmit data to one or more intended recipients, (2) determining that the data of the attempted transmission includes sensitive information, (3) identifying an intended recipient of the attempted transmission, and (4) notifying a user of the computing device both that the attempted transmission includes sensitive information and of the intended recipient of the attempted transmission. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.