Generating Virtual Users with Real Path Information to Improve Location Privacy

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a system to ensure privacy for users of mobile location based services. The system is based on doubles i. e. are virtual users in the vicinity of the real user. In order to camouflage the identity of a user and its movements, we introduce changing zones based on mix zones which exploit the fuzziness of GPS location positioning. The doubles themselves have access to real movement data in order to provide a realistic view of their movements. Whenever the movement of users (no matter if real or double) crosses in a changing zone, new movement pieces, so-called stitches are generated and serve as bases for future movement data of other doubles. We also show a synopsis of a possible architecture and how system subcomponents could interact in order to obtain certain levels of privacy. The proposed system is also able to provide new movement information to doubles in a dynamic manner. In addition, we outline a plan on how to evaluate the system.