Fuzzy geolocation

Context

For many digital applications (mobile, desktop) geolocation is valuable.

Use cases with extra attention for security and privacy:

1. Somebody wants to navigate to the doctor
2. A police officer investigates a specific area for possible criminal activities

Sending a (very) accurate geolocation to online services may compromise privacy or may be a security risk.

Fuzzy geolocation

Example of an interaction pattern

• Give a map around this location
  

Fuzzy geolocation

Example of an interaction pattern

• Change the center, enlarge area of interest, add random other areas, ...
  
• Interact with services with the modified positions / area and random requests

Fuzzy geolocation

Example of an interaction pattern

• Modify (filter) the response(s) to fit the original / intended area
  

Adding fuzziness

• by a broker / trusted third party:
  • add fuzziness, interact with services, deliver final result to user agent
  • possibly provide additional services: caching of map resources, random requests, fake users
• in mapping clients / user agents: smarter way of preparing the requests / interacting (built-in fuzziness for requests)

Invitation to collaborate

Let's explore a privacy preserving mode for geolocation

• Geonovum will create a PoC for a basic broker and live demonstrator
• Use OGC APIs (OGC API Maps / Tiles, OGC API Features) as standardized interfaces
• Share ideas, feedback, review, discuss