311111 novel cryptographic method that makes it possible to collect data and protect the privacy of the user at the same time
The statistical evaluation of digital user data is of vital importance for analyzing trends. But it can also undermine the privacy. Computer scientists from Saarbrücken have now developed a novel cryptographic method that makes it possible to collect data and protect the privacy of the user at the same time. They present their approach for the first time at the computer expo Cebit in Hannover at the Saarland University research booth (hall 9, booth E13).
“Many website providers are able to collect data, but only a few manage to do so without invading users’ privacy”, explains Aniket Kate, who leads the research group “Cryptographic Systems” at the Cluster of Excellence “Multimodal Computing and Interaction” (MMCI) in Saarbrücken. Two aspects threaten privacy during data aggregation: On the one hand, where and how is the data aggregated? For example, website owners are interested in the age and gender of their visitors. Therefore, they store data files (cookies) on their computers that observe which other websites they visit. “But this wealth of sensitive information allows them also to reconstruct detailed profiles of each individual”, says Kate. On the other hand, it is important to publish aggregated data in a privacy-preserving way. “Researchers have already demonstrated that precise information about the habits of citizens can be reconstructed from the electricity consumption information collected by so-called smart meters”, explains Kate.
In cooperation with his colleagues Fabienne Eigner and Matteo Maffei from the Center for IT-Security, Privacy and Accountability (CISPA) and Francesca Pampaloni from the Italian IMT Institute for Advanced Studies Lucca, Kate developed a software system called “Privada”. It is not only able to resolve the dilemma between the desire for information and the protection of data, but it can also be easily applied in different domains. “For example, with Privada website owners are still able to observe that their websites are mainly visited by middle-aged women, but nothing more”, Kate explains.
To achieve this, users split up the requested information and send parts of it to previously defined servers performing multi-party computation: Each server evaluates its data without being aware of the data of other parties. So together they compute a secret, but are not able to decode it on their own. Moreover, each party adds on a value corresponding to a probability distribution to make the data a little bit imprecise. The perturbated partial results are assembled into the actual analysis. The perturbation ensures that the identity of the individual person is protected, while trends are still significant in the aggregated statistic about user data.
The privacy is even guaranteed if all but one of the servers collaborate. Hence, according to the researchers, it is even conceivable that companies could provide such servers. If only servers, and not users, perturb the data with a certain amount of noise, that has two advantages: Firstly, not much computational power is necessary on the user’s side. Hence, even a mobile phone could send the partial result to a particular server. Also, in total, there is only a minimal amount of noise attached to the aggregated data. Hence, the resulting statistic about user data is as accurate as possible.
The computer scientists from Saarbrücken have already implemented their concept. “The computation is fast; the servers just need a few seconds”, says Fabienne Eigner, part of the research group “Secure and Privacy-preserving Systems” at Saarland University. She also worked on the software system. The architecture is constructed in such a way that it would not make any difference if someone were to analyze the data of a thousand or a million people”, explains Eigner.
The Latest on: Digital user data
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Digital user data” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Digital user data
- What is DigiLocker and does it keep your data safe? | Explainedon May 10, 2024 at 7:37 pm
DigiLocker has become a digital placeholder for administrative and government-related documents. How secure is it, and should people be using it?
- UK’s GDS Puts User Privacy at Center of New Digital ID Frameworkon May 10, 2024 at 11:25 am
The UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS) has unveiled a set of principles designed to guide the use of digital identity verification within government services, with user control, data minimization, ...
- Kenyan Officials Highlight Data Security Amid Digital ID Rollouton May 10, 2024 at 10:45 am
I want to assure the country that we are putting mechanisms to ensure that we have a smooth transition from the old generation ID to the digital ID, which is a third generation ID, and that no Kenyan ...
- Research Exposes Digital Advertiser Tactics: Meta and Alphabet's Profit from User Dataon May 10, 2024 at 10:00 am
Despite efforts to block cookies, digital advertisers still track users' online behavior, generating billions in revenue.
- A New Era Of Martech: Mastering Data Compliance In Healthcareon May 10, 2024 at 4:00 am
Healthcare marketers must strike a delicate balance between leveraging data insights for targeted campaigns and safeguarding patient privacy and confidentiality.
- Digital privacy legislation gets a bipartisan pushon May 10, 2024 at 2:45 am
A proposal for comprehensive digital privacy policy, one of the most contentious matters of the online era, is being floated in Congress by lawmakers in key positions to get it enacted. If passed, the ...
- Digital identity verification in crypto: What you need to knowon May 9, 2024 at 1:19 pm
Brittany Kaiser highlights the importance of choosing between custodial and non-custodial crypto services for better security.
- The digital tax era and its impact on dataon May 9, 2024 at 7:23 am
A catalyst for positive change in data management, promoting financial health and ultimately business survival.
- 15 Expert Tips For Companies Embracing Digital Hiring Toolson May 7, 2024 at 10:15 am
By leveraging digital tools and platforms, companies can streamline recruitment, improve the applicant experience and gain a competitive edge in the race for top talent.
- Revolutionizing User Engagement: The Power of Digital Platformson April 29, 2024 at 10:26 am
The quest for capturing user engagement is an age-old quest that has fascinated and agitated marketers in equal measure for decades. Without the right amount of engagement, a brand or ...
via Bing News