The IBM blockchain patents portfolio will soon include a privacy-focused browser, where the technology giant plans to use blockchain to guard users’ information. IBM has recently filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in this regard.
The patent application focuses on an interesting use case since privacy concerns are gaining increasing mindshare among Internet users. IBMs’ plan for a privacy-focused browser also highlights how versatile blockchain can be.
We browse the Internet every day for interesting and important content, and such content is freely available to us, thanks to ads! While this is positive, it also exposes us to online privacy challenges.
Businesses track our data as we browse the Internet, and they store a massive amount of data about us. As with any centralized repository that stores data, the humongous amount of data that businesses collect from our online activities are vulnerable to hacking!
Businesses tracking our data also sell it to other businesses, therefore, we receive plenty of targeted ads. Technology giants like Google collect an enormous amount of data about us as we use browsers like Chrome, and this data deals with websites we visit, products we search for, etc.
While cookies and trackers collect data about us, average users of the Internet aren’t always conversant with changing browser settings to prevent the collection of such data. Add to this the data charges they incur as they repeatedly download intrusive ads and trackers, and you will agree that they deserve a better deal!
Blockchain in the aid of Internet users!
Internet users need control over their browsing sessions. They should be able to determine whether they will share data, moreover, they should be able to control how much data they would share.
Traditional technology solutions don’t give them this control, however, blockchain can help them. Blockchain with its decentralization, security, and immutable smart contracts can let the Internet users decide whether they will share data, and to what extent.
Brave is a blockchain-powered web browser. Users of this browser can browse the Internet privately without anyone collecting their data in an unauthorized manner. Brave blocks trackers or other intrusive software, moreover, users of this browser can earn rewards in the form of crypto tokens.
The new IBM patent application for a privacy-focused browser intends to give control to the Internet users. IBM’s proposed blockchain-powered browser will store browsing data in a manner that prevents 3rd parties to collect it without the authorization of the user.
IBM also intends to use blockchain to securely back-up all browsing data, which will give added protection to Internet users. The patent mentions the usage of a token to verify a users’ browser session activities, however, it’s not known yet whether this token will have other usages.
An impressive addition to the IBM blockchain patents portfolio
IBM is betting big on blockchain, as its supplier management platform and its shipping platform show. The IBM blockchain patents portfolio is also impressive, which includes protecting enterprise blockchains, managing network security, auditing blockchains, etc. The proposed privacy-focused browser will be a key addition to its portfolio while helping Internet users.
