Patent Publication Number: US-2022237323-A1

Title: Compatible anonymization of data sets of different sources

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to compatible anonymization of data sets of different sources. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art. 
     Creating large data sets for artificial intelligence or machine learning applications often requires combining data sets from multiple data sources within or between organizations. When the data is not public and especially when the data is sensitive, e.g., personal or the data contains commercially sensitive data, access to different data sets may be particularly restricted. 
     The development of artificial intelligence or a machine learning model also requires source data that is sufficiently anonymized to avoid the risk of the learning becoming distorted by particular irrelevant details that are not statistically relevant but would easily be identified by a machine learning process. It is thus necessary for technical applications of machine learning to appropriately anonymize data sets. Moreover, when there are numerous data sets from different sources, the combining of the data sets is difficult to arrange so that the sensitive data is kept away while the structure of each data set is yet maintained statistically representative and correct. 
     Several methods exist for protecting sensitive data and personal information by anonymizing the data and by replacing identifiers with pseudonyms or by using synthetic data instead of actual data. However, these methods would scale poorly if the data were continuously accumulating or arriving from several different organizations when the sensitive raw data cannot be shared. Also, current anonymization methods cannot guarantee compatibility of the datasets if the anonymization is performed prior to combining data from different sources. 
     The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are generally directed to solving or mitigating the problems related to prior art and/or to provide new technical alternative(s). 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first example aspect of the disclosed embodiments there is provided a method for creating compatible anonymized data sets, automatically performing with machine learning equipment that operates a machine learning model: 
     defining data types of individual variables of a first data set; 
     identifying quasi-identifiers for the first data set; 
     defining reidentification sensitivity of all or any targeted subset of the individual variables and quasi-identifiers;
     defining missing data handling rules for the individual variables;   

     defining allowed data transformations including generalization and use of synthesized data; 
     optimizing quasi-identifier selection, use of synthesized data and a choice of data transformations to minimize information loss and maximize privacy metrics based on at least all of:
     the first data set;   the allowed data transformations;   the missing data handling rules;   the method further comprising training the machine learning model using: the first data set according to the defined data types; the optimized quasi-identifier selection;   the optimized use of synthesized data; and the choice of data transformations; and anonymizing the first data set using the training of the machine learning model.   

     In an embodiment, the method uses one or more further data sets in conjunction with the first data set in the acts defined for the first data set. Advantageously, a plurality of data sets may be used in training the machine learning model. 
     The defining of the data types of the individual variables of the first data set may be based on a dictionary formed by the machined learning. 
     The machine learning model may refer to a state of the machine learning equipment in which the machine learning equipment has learned associations of different items. 
     The defining of the missing data handling rules for the individual variables may comprise defined user defined variable-specific statistical imputation strategies and/or defining combinations of quasi-identifier dependent learned rules which can be adjusted during run-time. 
     The first data set may comprise high-dimensional multivariate data with identifiable or sensitive information. 
     The first data set may comprise numeric data. The first data set may alternatively or additionally comprise textual data. The machine learning model may quantify textual data. The quantifying of textual data may comprise counting instances of each substring, or sets of allowed textual values. The quantifying may produce numeric data. 
     The defining of the reidentification sensitivity of all or any targeted subset of the individual variables and quasi-identifiers may comprise determining combined identification capability of the individual variables and the quasi-identifiers and also of the individual quasi-identifiers. 
     The training of the machine learning model using the first data set according to the defined data types may use a first portion of the first data set for the training. The method may comprise using a second portion of the first data set for validating the machine learning model. The second portion may exclude the first portion. The first portion and the second portion may collectively comprise the first data set entirely. 
     The anonymizing may remove or mask personal identifiers and replace identifying attributes with more general values that follow overall statistical distribution of a source data set (e.g., the first data set or the second data set). 
     The method may be performed by different authorized parties to anonymize data sets without sharing sensitive data to said authorized parties. The different authorized parties may be granted access to the machine learning model permanently or for a limited period of time. 
     The method may further comprise anonymizing a second data set using the training of the machine learning model. By anonymizing the second data set using the training of the machine learning model, the information learned with the first data set is used to anonymize other data sets so that a plurality of data sets can be deterministically and compatibly anonymized. 
     The privacy metrics may comprise k-anonymity of the anonymized first data set. 
     The anonymizing may at any one or more phases of the method comprise pseudonymizing. The anonymizing may at any one or more phases of the method be pseudonymizing. 
     The method may comprise using different reference architectures for the different data types. 
     The method may comprise configuring different levels of data protection for different types of data. The method may allow manual adjusting of data protection rules for individual attributes and/or automatic optimizing of the data protection rules for different strategies, such as anonymization or pseudonymization. 
     The method may be used to anonymize and pseudonymize dynamic data sources or data streams. The streaming data can be processed in different sized segments. 
     An overall performance of the system may be adjusted to the workload by adding more parallel or independent processing units and/or by adding virtual processing resources. The anonymization and pseudonymization steps may employ central processing. The anonymization and pseudonymization steps may employ discrete devices. The discrete devices may include devices that are producing the data. 
     According to a second example aspect of the disclosed embodiments there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable program code which when executed by at least one processor causes an apparatus at least to perform the method of the first example aspect. 
     According to a third example aspect of the disclosed embodiments there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having the computer program of the third example aspect stored thereon. 
     Any foregoing memory medium may comprise a digital data storage such as a data disc or diskette, optical storage, magnetic storage, holographic storage, opto-magnetic storage, phase-change memory, resistive random access memory, magnetic random access memory, solid-electrolyte memory, ferroelectric random access memory, organic memory or polymer memory. The memory medium may be formed into a device without other substantial functions than storing memory or it may be formed as part of a device with other functions, including but not limited to a memory of a computer, a chip set, and a sub assembly of an electronic device. 
     According to a fourth example aspect of the disclosed embodiments there is provided a machine learning equipment comprising:
     a communication interface for receiving a first data set; and   a processing function configured to cause performing the method of the first example aspect.   

     Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in implementations of the present invention. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Some example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic drawing of a system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3  presents an example block diagram of an apparatus in which various embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure may be applied. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic drawing of a system  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The system comprises a first data source  110 ; a second data source  120 ; machine learning equipment  130 ; and a data sink  140  to which anonymized data is provided. 
     The first data source  110  provides the machine learning equipment with a first data set  112  that is optionally dynamic i.e. changing over time (new entries being added or old ones being changed or deleted). 
     The second data source  120  provides the machine learning equipment with a second data set  122  that is optionally dynamic i.e. changing over time (new entries being added or old ones being changed or deleted). 
     The machine learning equipment  130  comprises, for example any one or more of the following options:
     one or more dedicated computers;   one or more virtualized computers;   one or more computer cloud implemented application and/or server instances.   

     The machine learning equipment  130  may be auto-scaling. 
     The data sink  140  is or the data sink  140  comprises, for example, any one or more of: a local or remote storage; a database; a server; an artificial intelligence application. For example, the anonymization may be performed for producing data for teaching a machine learning model in which case the machine learning application may be the data sink that receives the output of the anonymization process. 
       FIG. 2  shows a flow chart of a method according to a first example aspect for creating compatible anonymized data sets. The method comprises automatically performing with machine learning equipment:
       210 . defining data types of individual variables of a first data set;     220 . identifying quasi-identifiers for the first data set;     230 . defining reidentification sensitivity of all or any targeted subset of the individual variables and quasi-identifiers;     240 . defining missing data handling rules for the individual variables;     250 . defining allowed data transformations including generalization and use of synthesized data;     260 . optimizing quasi-identifier selection, use of synthesized data and a choice of data transformations to minimize information loss and maximize privacy metrics based on at least all of:   the first data set  112 ;   the allowed data transformations; and   the missing data handling rules;     270 . training the machine learning model using: the first data set according to the defined data types; the optimized quasi-identifier selection; the optimized use of synthesized data; and the choice of data transformations; and     280 . anonymizing the first data set using the training of the machine learning model.   

     In an embodiment, the method uses one or more further data sets in conjunction with the first data set in the acts defined for the first data set. In an embodiment, this applies to steps  210  to  280 . In another embodiment, this further applies to one or more further embodiments. 
     It should be appreciated that unless otherwise stated, the order of steps may also be changed in the method shown in  FIG. 2  as well as in any other process or sub-process disclosed in this document. Moreover, the steps need not be taken one by one, but some steps may be performed in parallel and/or in pieces. 
     In an embodiment, the defining  210  of the data types of the individual variables of the first data set is based on a dictionary formed by the machined learning. The dictionary may enable the machine learning model to adapt to new data sets ever better (with better degree of anonymity and/or preservation of data). 
     In an embodiment, the defining of the missing data handling rules for the individual variables comprises defined user defined variable-specific statistical imputation strategies and /or defining combinations of quasi-identifier dependent learned rules. These strategies and/or rules can be adjusted during run-time. 
     In an embodiment, the first data set comprises high-dimensional multivariate data with identifiable or sensitive information. For instance, the first data set may comprise health data provided by one or various different health service providers. The first data set may comprise personal data stored by governmental agencies. 
     In an embodiment, the first data set comprises numeric data. In an embodiment, the first data set alternatively or additionally comprises textual data. In an embodiment, the machine learning model quantifies textual data. In an embodiment, the quantifying produces numeric data. 
     In an embodiment, the defining of the reidentification sensitivity of all or any targeted subset of the individual variables and quasi-identifiers comprises determining combined identification capability of the individual variables and the quasi-identifiers and also of the individual quasi-identifiers. The defining of reidentification sensitivity of various items and combinations of items may be configured to identify potential risks of allowing identifying persons or other sensitive individuals despite anonymization. 
     In an embodiment, the training of the machine learning model using the first data set according to the defined data types uses a first portion of the first data set for the training. In an embodiment, the method comprises using a second portion of the first data set for validating the machine learning model. In an embodiment, the second portion excludes the first portion. In an embodiment, the first portion and the second portion collectively comprise the first data set entirely. 
     In an embodiment, the anonymizing removes or masks personal identifiers and replaces identifying attributes with more general values that follow overall statistical distribution of a source data set (e.g., the first data set or the first and second data sets). 
     In an embodiment, the method is performed by different authorized parties to anonymize data sets without sharing sensitive data to said authorized parties. In an embodiment, the different authorized parties are granted access to use the machine learning model permanently or for a limited period of time. The use of the machine learning model may effectively enable using a plurality of different sources of sensitive data without exposing the sensitive data to other parties. By using the machine learning, the anonymization may be performed with optimized preservation of data and protecting of sensitive information. 
     The machine learning model may use a neural network that learns and anonymizes each new piece of data against a neural network model rather than against a whole data set. This may avoid repeated solving of computationally demanding problems for which there is no known polynomial algorithm, so that the time to find a solution grows exponentially with problem size 
     The machine learning may also hide the sensitive information so as to expose only a machine learning model and/or synthetic data. In an embodiment, an output of the anonymization comprises or consists of the synthetic data. The anonymization may be performed in many cases already before pooling or combining data sets while maintaining quality of anonymization i.e. compatible anonymization of the different data sources. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises anonymizing a second data set using the training of the machine learning model. By anonymizing the second data set using the training of the machine learning model, the information learned with the first data set is used to anonymize other data sets so that a plurality of data sets can be deterministically and compatibly anonymized. 
     The second data set may be anonymized with different data retention such that the information loss and privacy metrics are optimized based on the data of the second data set to avoid the risks of re-identification and excessive loss of information. 
     The use of the machine learning model may be automated and computer implemented such that no human being gets the sensitive information of different data sources. This may further help protecting the sensitive information. 
     The privacy metrics comprise k-anonymity of the anonymized first data set. 
     In an embodiment, the anonymizing at any one or more phases of the method comprises pseudonymizing. In an embodiment, the anonymizing of any one or more phases of the method is pseudonymizing. 
     In an embodiment, the method comprises using different reference architectures for the different data types. 
     In an embodiment, the method comprises configuring different levels of data protection for different types of data. In an embodiment, the method allows manual adjusting of data protection rules for individual attributes and/or automatic optimizing of the data protection rules for different strategies, such as anonymization or pseudonymization. 
     In an embodiment, the method is used to anonymize and pseudonymize dynamic data sources or data streams. The streaming data can be processed in different sized segments. 
     In an embodiment, an overall performance of the system is adjusted to the workload by adding more parallel or independent processing units and/or by adding virtual processing resources. In an embodiment, the anonymization and pseudonymization steps employ central processing. In an embodiment, the anonymization and pseudonymization steps employ discrete devices. In an embodiment, the discrete devices include devices that are producing the data. 
       FIG. 3  presents an example block diagram of an apparatus  300  in which various embodiments of the invention may be applied. This may be a user device or apparatus, such as a mobile terminal or other communication device. 
     The general structure of the apparatus  300  comprises a communication interface module  340 , a processor  310  coupled to the communication interface module  340 , and a memory  320  coupled to the processor  310 . The apparatus further comprises software  330  stored in the memory  320  and operable to be loaded into and executed in the processor  310 . The software  330  may comprise one or more software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product. The apparatus  300  further comprises a user interface controller  350  coupled to the processor  310 . 
     The processor  310  may be, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array, a microcontroller, a neural network processor or a combination of such elements.  FIG. 3  shows one processor  310 , but the apparatus  300  may comprise a plurality of processors. 
     The memory  320  may be for example a volatile or a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a data disk, an optical storage, a magnetic storage, a smart card, or the like. The apparatus  300  may comprise a plurality of memories. The memory  320  may be constructed as a part of the apparatus  300  or it may be inserted into a slot, port, or the like of the apparatus  300  by a user. The memory  320  may serve the sole purpose of storing data, or it may be constructed as a part of an apparatus serving other purposes, such as processing data. 
     The user interface controller  350  may comprise circuitry for receiving input from a user of the apparatus  300 , e.g., via a keyboard, graphical user interface shown on the display of the apparatus  300 , speech recognition circuitry, or an accessory device, such as a headset, and for providing output to the user via, e.g., a graphical user interface or a loudspeaker. 
     A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus  300  may comprise other elements. 
     Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise, include and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity. 
     The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments of the present disclosure a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the aspects of the disclosed embodiments. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the present disclosure. 
     Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed embodiments of this present disclosure may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the aspects of the disclosed embodiments is only restricted by the appended patent claims.