Universal Anonymous Identifier for Secure Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current universal identifiers, such as Social Security Numbers, pose privacy risks and are often prohibited in legal, medical, and educational contexts, hindering data collection and analysis across various applications.
Innovation Solution
A trusted third-party service generates unique universal IDs (UXIDs) based on certifiable legal documents, using a hash algorithm to create a unique identifier that remains constant throughout an individual's lifetime, allowing for anonymous and secure data exchange across different entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Social Security Numbers are used as universal identifiers, then data collection and exchange become efficient, but individual privacy and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trusted third-party service as an intermediary that generates and manages universal identifiers (UXIDs) instead of using direct personal identifiers like SSNs. This mediator enables data exchange while maintaining privacy by decoupling the identifier from direct personal information, thus resolving the contradiction between efficient data collection and privacy protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the identification function through UXIDs that replicate the utility of SSNs for data linkage without containing the actual personal information. These identifier copies enable all necessary data collection and exchange operations while being inherently privacy-protective by design
2Quantity of substance
If mandatory national data collection via personally identifiable IDs is implemented, then comprehensive data aggregation is achieved, but legal challenges and opposition increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the parameter of identification from personally identifiable information (PII) to anonymous universal identifiers. This parameter change allows comprehensive data collection to proceed without triggering legal opposition, as the system maintains data comprehensiveness while eliminating the legal complexities associated with PII collection
3Ease of operation
If existing universal identifiers are used, then data exchange between entities is facilitated, but unauthorized access and misuse become more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the identification function into multiple components: the trusted third-party service that generates identifiers, the UXID itself that enables data exchange, and the security mechanisms that control access. This segmentation allows easy data exchange through the UXID while maintaining reliable security controls through the trusted intermediary and associated authentication protocols
Data Source
AI summary
A universal anonymous data collection and exchange service is provided where individuals and entities initially register with the service utilizing “legally authentic” identity documentation to obtain a “universal ID” (UXID). The UXID consists of a sting of alphanumeric digits selected from a hash function that is performed on a string of personally identifying information. Once registered, the individual and entity UXIDs are used as a means by the service to engage in a pre-defined confidential data collection and exchange protocol between participating, registered UXID holders. The service is designed for use across many applications, individuals and entities, and may support one-time or recurring collection of data.