About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Publication
IEEE TMC
Paper
A flexible privacy-enhanced location-based services system framework and practice
Abstract
Location based services(LBS) are becoming increasingly important to the success and attractiveness of next generation wireless systems. However, a natural tension arises between the need for user privacy and the flexible use of location information. In this paper we present a framework to support privacy enhanced location based services. We classify the services according to several basic criteria and we propose a hierarchical key distribution method to support these services. The key idea behind the system is to hierarchically encrypt location information under different keys, and distribute the appropriate keys only to group members with the necessary permission. Four methods are proposed to deliver hierarchical location information while maintaining privacy. We propose a key tree rebalancing algorithm to maintain the re-keying performance of the group key management. Furthermore, we present a practical LBS system implementation. Hierarchical location information coding offers flexible location information access which enables a rich set of location based services. Our load tests show such a system is highly practical with good efficiency and scalability. © 2006 IEEE.