Facebook Researchers Hope to Bring Together Two Foes: Encryption and Ads

Tags: 2020s Facebook Homomorphic encryption

Authors: Krouse, Sarah and O’Regan, Sylvia Varnham

URL: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/facebook-researchers-hope-to-bring-together-two-foes-encryption-and-ads

Abstract: Facebook is working to be able to analyze encrypted data–without decrypting it–using a developing technique called homomorphic encryption that has been applied in medical and financial contexts. This would allow it to encrypt the data it collects and analyze both it and already-encrypted data, such as private messages, to continue to support its targeted advertisements. This could also expose personal information like medical recards and financial information, if available, to Facebook’s analysis while keeping it protected from both cybersecurity threats and competitive information leaks.