The Prom Problem: Fair and Privacy-Enhanced Matchmaking with Identity Linked Wishes

In the Prom Problem (TPP), Alice wishes to attend a school dance with Bob and needs a risk-free, privacy preserving way to find out whether Bob shares that same wish. If not, no one should know that she inquired about it, not even Bob. TPP represents a special class of matchmaking challenges, augmenting the properties of privacy-enhanced matchmaking, further requiring fairness and support for identity linked wishes (ILW) – wishes involving specific identities that are only valid if all involved parties have those same wishes. The Horne-Nair (HN) protocol was proposed as a solution to TPP along with a sample pseudo-code embodiment leveraging an untrusted matchmaker. Neither identities nor pseudo-identities are included in any messages or stored in the matchmaker’s database. Privacy relevant data stay within user control. A security analysis and proof-of-concept implementation validated the approach, fairness was quantified, and a feasibility analysis demonstrated practicality in real-world networks and systems, thereby bounding risk prior to incurring the full costs of development. The SecretMatch™ Prom app leverages one embodiment of the patented HN protocol to achieve privacy-enhanced and fair matchmaking with ILW. The endeavor led to practical lessons learned and recommendations for privacy engineering in an era of rapidly evolving privacy legislation. Next steps include design of SecretMatch™ apps for contexts like voting negotiations in legislative bodies and executive recruiting. The roadmap toward a quantum resistant SecretMatch™ began with design of a Hybrid Post-Quantum Horne-Nair (HPQHN) protocol. Future directions include enhancements to HPQHN, a fully Post Quantum HN protocol, and more

The Ursinus Weekly, January 15, 1934

Ursinus and Penn broadcast debate • Committee to study campus problems • G-burg trounces Chase five, 33-14 • Humorous comedy presented by Y • Phila. college club to confer Jan. 19-20 • Men\u27s Forensic Club arranges schedule • Frosh open season with Villanova tomorrow night • Women\u27s debating club accepts new members • Seniors consider programs for last class weekend • Y.M. discussion groups entertained at dinner • Hall Chemical Society to hear Dr. R. Sturgis • New method of conducting programs used by IRC • Faculty and students attend pol.-social science conference • Musical selections at Sunday night vespers • Soph hop scheduled for Tuesday, January 30 • Two dance dates granted at student act. council • New books acquired by college library • Short stories topic of English Club meeting • Councils make rules for freshman rushing periods • Program presented at Royersford by YW • Women\u27s student council plans revision of rules • List of fraternity and sorority membershttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2010/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, March 5, 1934

Excellent program for Founders\u27 Day • Jack Hart talks to Ursinus groups • Courtmen win one; lose two • Dean Kline guest of honor at Phila. dinner • Seniors plan dance and play Mar. 16-17 • Federal aid granted to needy college students • Men\u27s negative team debates on away trip • Prof. F. I. Sheeder speaks to York alumni members • Shaw-Bernard collection on display in college library • Matmen close season with 17-11 victory over Rutgers • Women debaters win and lose in dual contest with Western Maryland • Girls lose to Drexel and tie Beaver 20-20 • Frosh beat Drexel • Freshman debating team loses to North Coventry • The shine of dreams to be presented in Norristown • Girls second team wins over Drexel and Beaver • Shriner and Fircroft victors in dorm games • Future programs of campus organizations • College library acquires numerous new books • Belgium subject of discussion at IRC • Dr. and Mrs. Lentz hosts at dinner for captains • Dr. Philip Goepp addresses group of women students • Week of prayer speaker is guest of brotherhood • Miss Takacs presides at meeting of French Club • Quaker vesper service led by Shollenbergerhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2015/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, October 9, 1933

Colleges will debate on NRA question this year • Frosh discussion groups are part of YM program • St. Joseph\u27s bow to Ursinus bears by 20-0 score in opening fray here • Interfraternity council amends bidding methods • Tennis tournament ends with Danehower as victor • New section Fair Ursinus planned for 1934 Ruby • James Wharton presides over pep meeting Friday • William Evans president of Hall Chemical Society • Freshmen football men prepare for first battle • Student council plans Old Timers\u27 Day dance • Interested students hear artist explain new course • U hockey team scores 6-2 victory over Drexel • Campus fraternity members • Dr. Sturgis chosen faculty adviser by Brotherhood • Activities council grants request for senior dance • Council treasurer to be elected at mass meeting • Y.M.-Y.W. doggie roast held Wednesday evening • Dr. E. B. White to coach women\u27s debating club • Int. rel. club to discuss important personalities • Women\u27s athletic assoc. makes awards to students • New methods to be used in Curtain Club tryouts • Miss Winder to address community mass meeting • Beta Sigma Lambda pledges new membershttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2000/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, May 22, 1933

Dr. John R. Murlin will speak at graduation • Council representatives chosen by men students • Grizzlies lose return game to Villanova • Athletic club to meet • Trackmen lose final dual track meet to St. Joseph\u27s • Beethoven\u27s Mass in D to be presented as oratorio • Complete program planned for commencement week • Grizzlies take fifth place in annual conference meet • Ursinus educators plan summer trip to Europe • Keen competition for new students among colleges • Senior girls to be guests of Woman\u27s Club at dinner • Ursinus Woman\u27s Club will give tea for senior girls • Attention 1933 alumni • Last Weekly on June 5 • Y.W. president will attend camp • Seniors plant class tree • Public speaking class has banquet at Franklin House • New members and officers selected by Debating Club • Y.W.C.A. holds council fire for freshmen and seniors • Parunak secures position in Bridgeport high school • Irving Sutin selected to head men\u27s Debating Club • Faculty will hold picnic • Girl\u27s tennis team meets defeat at Beaver College • Dr. Philip H. Goepp will sponsor student recital • International Relations Club hears Yen Lee and elects officers • Dean W. A. Kline honored at men\u27s faculty club dinner • Dr. James Anders to speak at Schwenkfeldian meeting • Election of officers held at Curtain Club meeting • Revision of women\u27s rules at WSGA mass meeting • College plates with scenes of campus will be on sale • English group elections • Dr. Uphaus lectures and holds student conferences • Seniors conduct worship program at vesper service • Ursinus cubs defeated by Villanova freshmen • Grizzly nine drops game to Eastern Pen by 4-3 scorehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2057/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, November 6, 1933

Curtis institute artists to render evening concert • May Day pageant must be submitted by January 8 • Bears felled by G-burg Bullets, 12-13; frosh score 9-0 win at Farm School • College Glee Club sings at McAllister\u27s in Phila. • Faculty and students are entertained at YW tea • Fred Cardin, Indian lecturer, secured by Jr. advisory com. • Ditter Haynes to play for senior dance Nov. 11 • Ursinus harriers place second in conference meet • Soccermen tie Haverford but bow to the Bullets, 7-0 • Mrs. John Lentz plans to entertain freshman girls • Lecture by Dr. J. Mauchly to Hall Chemical Society • Y.M. to be guests of Y.W. at armistice day program • Father\u27s Day banquet after Muhlenberg game • Women\u27s dorm committee to sponsor tea and bazaar • Ye famed tugge-of-warre sees sophs victors; Parson Mitchell drenched in watery battle • English Club plans discussion of modern theatre tonight • Mathematics group enjoys games and speeches at meeting • Big-little sisters unite in celebrating Halloween • Y.M.C.A. chorus makes tentative plans for year • Hist.-social science group elects Wm. O\u27Donnell pres. • Pep rally talks by pop Hendricks and Brownback • Mr. Pettit speaks to Y on topic of religion • Glenside Quarterly Club to witness football game • Curtain Club may present production in December • Thank you doctor to be presented November 18 • Church conference held at Ursinus November 4 • Political impersonations at women\u27s debating club • Brotherhood discusses prayer at meeting • Roxborough M. E. Church to hear Ursinus Glee Club • New press box will welcome visiting scribes hereafter • Wm. Tempest leads vespers in appreciation program • Representatives attend YW cabinet conferencehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2004/thumbnail.jp

The Prom Problem: Fair and Privacy-Enhanced Matchmaking with Identity Linked Wishes

In the Prom Problem (TPP), Alice wishes to attend a school dance with Bob and needs a risk-free, privacy preserving way to find out whether Bob shares that same wish. If not, no one should know that she inquired about it, not even Bob. TPP represents a special class of matchmaking challenges, augmenting the properties of privacy-enhanced matchmaking, further requiring fairness and support for identity linked wishes (ILW) – wishes involving specific identities that are only valid if all involved parties have those same wishes. The Horne-Nair (HN) protocol was proposed as a solution to TPP along with a sample pseudo-code embodiment leveraging an untrusted matchmaker. Neither identities nor pseudo-identities are included in any messages or stored in the matchmaker’s database. Privacy relevant data stay within user control. A security analysis and proof-of-concept implementation validated the approach, fairness was quantified, and a feasibility analysis demonstrated practicality in real-world networks and systems, thereby bounding risk prior to incurring the full costs of development. The SecretMatch™ Prom app leverages one embodiment of the patented HN protocol to achieve privacy-enhanced and fair matchmaking with ILW. The endeavor led to practical lessons learned and recommendations for privacy engineering in an era of rapidly evolving privacy legislation. Next steps include design of SecretMatch™ apps for contexts like voting negotiations in legislative bodies and executive recruiting. The roadmap toward a quantum resistant SecretMatch™ began with design of a Hybrid Post-Quantum Horne-Nair (HPQHN) protocol. Future directions include enhancements to HPQHN, a fully Post Quantum HN protocol, and more