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Anonymity - Background

Explore the origins of anonymity, its importance in modern society, threats posed by surveillance, and mechanisms like cryptography and data scrubbing that ensure privacy. Discover the need for anonymity, its applications, and limitations.

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Anonymity - Background

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  1. Anonymity - Background R. Newman

  2. Anonymity - Beginnings • Early (pre-computer) uses for social reasons (ability to act more freely, have work accepted without prejudice, etc.) • Traffic analysis an issue prior to computers (e.g., Bodyguard of Lies) • Computer TAP solvable with cryptography • With public-key cryptography, theoretical possibility for anonymity and pseudonymity

  3. Topics • Defining anonymity • Defining privacy • Need for anonymity • Threats to anonymity and privacy • Mechanisms to provide anonymity • Applications of anonymity technology

  4. Privacy/Anonymity Threats • Available surveillance technology • Identification technology • Increasing use of databases • Data mining • Identity theft • Increasing requirements for I&A • Increasing governmental desire for surveillance

  5. Surveillance Facts • 1.5 million CCTV cameras installed in UK post 911 – Londoner on camera ~300 times a day http://epic.org/privacy/surveillance/ • Face recognition software used in Tampa for Superbowl • 5000 public surveillance cameras known in DC • Home and work zipcodes give identity in 5% of cases in US http://33bits.org/tag/anonymity/

  6. Homework • Count number of video cameras you encounter all day for one day. • Record locations, submit when Canvas up. • Tally total, share total with class Friday.

  7. Data Reidentification • Even ”scrubbed” data can be re-identified • Characteristics within the data (e.g., word usage in documents) • Intersection attacks on k-anonymized database set releases • Use of known outside data in combination with released data • Data mining – higher dimensional space gives greater specificity!

  8. Exercise • What are legitmate limitations on anonymity? • Write down 1-2 of these • Share with neighbor • Share with class

  9. Limitations on Anonymity • Accountability • Legal/criminal issues • Social expectations • Competing need for trust • Others?

  10. Forms of Anonymity • Traffic Analysis Prevention • Sender, Recipient, Message Anonymity • Voter Anonymity • Pseudonymity • Revokable anonymity • Data anonymity

  11. Topics • Defining anonymity • Need for anonymity • Defining privacy • Threats to anonymity and privacy • Mechanisms to provide anonymity • Applications of anonymity technology

  12. Anonymity Mechanisms • Cryptography • Steganography • Traffic Analysis Prevention (TAP) • Mixes, crowds • Data sanitization/scrubbing • k-anonymity

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