Provision of cross-device identification
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for provision of cross-device identifiers. A cross-device ID is assigned by a computing entity matching system on a first domain to a browser and to one or more computing entities. A request for a webpage is sent by the browser to a server on a second domain. The webpage, including cross-device ID retrieval instructions, is received by the browser. The cross-device ID retrieval instructions are executed to send a request to the computing entity matching system including a matching system ID. The cross-device ID is determined based on the matching system ID. Cross-device ID storage instructions, including a distributed cross-device ID, are sent by the computing entity matching system. The cross-device ID storage instructions are executed by the browser. A request for a webpage, including the distributed cross-device ID, is sent by the browser to the server.
1. A method comprising:
a. assigning, by a computing entity matching system on a first domain, a cross-device ID to a browser executing on a first computing device and to one or more computing entities based on one or more of activity data for the browser and the one or more computing entities collected by the computing entity matching system and activity data for the browser and the one or more computing entities collected by a plurality of third-parties;
b. sending, by the browser, to a server on a second domain, a first request for a first webpage;
c. receiving, by the browser, the first webpage, the first webpage comprising first cross-device ID retrieval instructions;
d. executing, by the browser, the first cross-device ID retrieval instructions to send a second request to the computing entity matching system comprising a matching system ID;
e. determining, by the computing entity matching system, the cross-device ID based on the matching system ID;
f. sending, by the computing entity matching system, to the browser, first cross-device ID storage instructions comprising a distributed cross-device ID, the distributed cross-device ID based on the cross-device ID;
g. executing, by the browser, the first cross-device ID storage instructions to set a cookie on the second domain comprising the distributed cross-device ID; and
h. sending, by the browser, to the server, a third request for a second webpage, the third request comprising the distributed cross-device ID.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each computing entity of the one or more computing entities is one of a computing device, a browser, or an application.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distributed cross-device ID is determined by applying a one-way hashing function to the cross-device ID.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first webpage and the second webpage are associated with a first third-party, and wherein the distributed cross-device ID is determined by encrypting the cross-device ID with an encryption key associated with the first third-party.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first webpage and the second webpage are associated with a first third-party, and wherein the distributed cross-device ID is determined by applying a first third-party-specific mapping to the cross-device ID.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distributed cross-device ID is the cross-device ID.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the computing entity matching system, a user of the browser has not opted out of cross-device identification based on one or more of the matching system ID or the cross-device ID.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising associating, by the server, browser activity with the distributed cross-device ID.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
a. sending, by the browser, to the server on the second domain, a fourth request for a third webpage;
b. receiving, by the browser, the third webpage, the third webpage comprising second cross-device ID retrieval instructions;
c. executing, by the browser, the second cross-device ID retrieval instructions to send a fifth request to the computing entity matching system comprising the matching system ID and the distributed cross-device ID;
d. determining, by the computing entity matching system, a user of the browser has opted out of cross-device identification based on one or more of the matching system ID or the cross-device ID;
e. sending, by the computing entity matching system, to the browser, second cross-device ID storage instructions comprising opt-out indicia;
f. executing, by the browser, the second cross-device ID storage instructions to replace the distributed cross-device ID in the cookie on the second domain with the opt-out indicia; and
g. sending, by the browser, to the server, a sixth request for a fourth webpage, the sixth request comprising the opt-out indicia.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising disassociating, by the server, browser activity of the browser with the distributed cross-device ID in response to receiving the opt-out indicia.