θ-Rand: Random noise-based location obfuscation based on circle sectors

Abstract

Location-Based Information Systems have been increasingly adopted by users of both modern Web applications and mobile phones, this last group being the more susceptible for geographic tracking due to their devices' ability to calculate their location in real time via GPS or other positioning technique. This information needs to be protected, while still being available to the service provider so services can be offered. This paper presents a new random noise-based location obfuscation technique to alter the real location of the user, based on the N-RAND technique, while being more resistant to noise filtering than its predecessor. Results show that the θ-RAND technique can reduce by 20% the amount of noise filtered by an exponential moving average filtering technique.