A Dynamic Obfuscation Framework for Security and Utility

Obfuscation can be used by dynamic systems to ensure private and secure communication over networks vulnerable to eavesdroppers. Balancing the utility of sending information to intended recipients and privacy by hiding information from unintended recipients presents an interesting challenge. We propose a new framework for obfuscation that includes an inference interface to allow intended recipients to interpret obfuscated information. We model the security of the obfuscation with opacity, a formal notion of plausible deniability. Using techniques from distributed reactive synthesis, we show how to automatically design a privacy-enforcing obfuscator along with the inference interface that is given to intended recipients to use as a key. We demonstrate this approach by enforcing privacy while maintaining utility in a contact tracing model.

Automated summary

Obfuscation is a technique used in dynamic systems to ensure private and secure communication in networks vulnerable to eavesdroppers. This article proposes a new framework for obfuscation that includes an inference interface for intended recipients to interpret the obfuscated information. The security of the obfuscation is modeled using opacity, a formal notion of plausible deniability. The article demonstrates the application of this approach in enforcing privacy while maintaining utility in a contact tracing model.