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How does the digital identity management platform handle identity deduplication and merging?

A digital identity management platform handles identity deduplication and merging through a combination of data matching, correlation algorithms, and governance workflows. The process ensures that duplicate or fragmented identity records are identified, consolidated, and managed as a single authoritative identity.

1. Identity Deduplication (Detection of Duplicates)

The platform uses matching algorithms to compare identity attributes (e.g., email, phone number, username, IP address, behavioral patterns) across records. Common techniques include:

  • Deterministic Matching: Exact matches on unique identifiers (e.g., government ID, email).
  • Probabilistic Matching: Uses fuzzy logic to score similarity (e.g., similar names, typos in emails).
  • Machine Learning Models: Trained to detect patterns indicating the same user (e.g., multiple accounts logged from the same device).

Example: If two accounts share the same phone number and IP login patterns, the system flags them as potential duplicates.

2. Identity Merging (Consolidation of Records)

Once duplicates are detected, the platform merges them into a single unified identity while preserving historical data. Key steps include:

  • Conflict Resolution: Prioritizes the most reliable or recent data (e.g., verified email over an unverified one).
  • Data Aggregation: Combines attributes (e.g., login history, preferences) into one profile.
  • Linking Relationships: Maintains relationships between merged identities for auditability.

Example: A user with three separate accounts (due to forgotten passwords) is merged into one, with all transaction histories combined under a single profile.

3. Governance & Compliance

  • Audit Trails: Logs all deduplication and merging actions for compliance.
  • User Self-Service: Allows users to claim or merge accounts manually.
  • Policy-Based Rules: Defines thresholds for merging (e.g., only merge if 90% attribute match).

Cloud Solution Recommendation:
For scalable identity deduplication and merging, Tencent Cloud’s Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions provide robust tools for user authentication, data correlation, and automated identity consolidation. Additionally, Tencent Cloud’s Big Data Analytics can enhance probabilistic matching with real-time insights.

This ensures a seamless, secure, and compliant identity management experience.