Webpage Tracking Tool Blocking for Location-Based Data Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to effectively control and regulate the use of tracking tools on websites, particularly in cases where user consent is given but data transfer restrictions apply, such as transferring EU personal data outside the EU, leading to compliance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A computational framework that identifies tracking tools on webpages, determines their data destination locations, and dynamically blocks or limits their functionality based on prohibited data destinations and user consent, ensuring compliance with regulatory restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tracking tools are allowed to execute on webpages, then user behavior tracking and analytics capabilities are improved, but data transfer compliance and security are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between the tracking tool execution environment and the data destination. This intermediary monitors tracking tool execution, determines data destination locations, checks compliance against prohibited destinations, and blocks transfers when necessary. The intermediary enables tracking functionality while ensuring compliance through automated intervention in the data flow path.
2Reliability
If tracking tools are blocked based on data destination location, then data protection compliance is improved, but tracking functionality and analytics capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the blocking mechanism location-specific rather than blanket blocking. The system determines the geographic location of data destinations and compares them against location-specific compliance rules (e.g., EU data cannot be transferred to certain countries). Tracking tools are allowed to execute and collect data locally, but transfers are selectively blocked only to prohibited destinations, preserving tracking functionality for compliant operations.
3Productivity
If automated blocking systems are implemented, then compliance monitoring efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the automated blocking system to autonomously perform compliance monitoring without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically scans webpage code for tracking tools, executes them in a controlled environment, determines data destination locations using geolocation services, checks compliance against maintained lists of prohibited destinations, and blocks transfers automatically. This self-service approach improves compliance monitoring efficiency while managing complexity through automation rather than manual processes.
4Reliability
If tracking tools are scanned and evaluated before execution, then data transfer control is improved, but processing time and computational resources are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by scanning and identifying tracking tools in the webpage code before they are executed. The system extracts tracking tool identifiers, URLs, and configuration parameters from the webpage source code during the page loading phase, before any actual data collection or transfer occurs. This preliminary identification allows the system to prepare compliance checks in advance, reducing the time impact during actual tracking operations by having the evaluation framework ready beforehand.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, apparatus, systems, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like for permitting or blocking tracking tools used through webpages. In particular embodiments, the method involves: scanning a webpage to identify a tracking tool configured for processing personal data; determining a data destination location that is associated with the tracking tool; and generating program code configured to: determine a location associated with a user who is associated with a rendering of the webpage; determine a prohibited data destination location based on the location associated with the user; determine that the data destination location associated with the tracking tool is not the prohibited data destination location; and responsive to the data destination location associated with the tracking tool not being the prohibited data destination location, permit the tracking tool to execute.