Subscription Manager Lawful Interception Access Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of multiple subscriptions for different networks and functions, managed by a subscription manager, complicates lawful interception procedures as agencies can no longer simply send interception requests with a user's name, as the operator lacks access to user-specific information due to privacy protections that only provide device identifiers for network access.

Innovation Solution

Methods and apparatuses for lawful interception through a subscription manager that receive interception requests, determine and provide operator-specific access codes, and manage user subscription data to facilitate access across multiple networks, enabling lawful interception while maintaining user privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a subscription manager is introduced to manage multiple subscriptions for user privacy, then user privacy is improved, but lawful interception capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser privacyVSAvoidlawful interception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The subscription manager acts as an intermediary between law enforcement agencies and multiple network operators. It receives interception requests from agencies, resolves user identities across multiple subscriptions using device identifiers, and coordinates with relevant operators to implement interception, thereby maintaining user privacy while enabling lawful interception capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If operator-specific access codes are stored centrally in a subscription manager, then user privacy is improved, but the complexity of lawful interception procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser information privacyVSAvoidinterception procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The subscription manager performs preliminary actions by maintaining a central registry of device identifiers and their corresponding user identities and subscription information. When an interception request is received, this pre-organized data allows rapid resolution of user identities without requiring complex real-time queries to multiple operators, thus simplifying the interception procedure despite centralized storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If multiple network operators are involved due to multiple subscriptions, then user privacy is improved, but the time required for lawful interception increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser privacy protectionVSAvoidinterception request processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The subscription manager provides universal functionality by serving as a single point of contact for all interception requests regardless of which network operator is involved. It consolidates the interception coordination function across multiple operators, enabling agencies to submit a single interception request that is then distributed to all relevant operators, thereby reducing the time required compared to contacting each operator separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2716096B1Methods and apparatuses for lawful interception through a subscription manager
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2716096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2716096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2716096B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are herein provided for lawful interception through a subscription manager. In some embodiments, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products provide user subscription data to an agency, operator, or service provider in response to receiving a lawful interception request. A method may include receiving an interception request comprising a user's name from at least one operator. The method may further include determining, by a processor, an operator specific access code associated with the user's name. The method may also include providing the operator specific access code to the operator. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.