Private Information Retrieval

Definition ∞ Private Information Retrieval (PIR) is a cryptographic protocol that allows a user to retrieve an item from a server’s database without the server learning which item was requested. This technology ensures the user’s query remains confidential, even from the database owner. PIR protocols are crucial for maintaining privacy in data access scenarios.
Context ∞ Private Information Retrieval is a topic of increasing importance in crypto news, particularly concerning privacy-preserving applications, decentralized storage, and secure data sharing on blockchain networks. Implementing efficient PIR solutions can enhance user anonymity when interacting with distributed ledgers or accessing off-chain data. Research focuses on optimizing PIR for practical deployment, balancing privacy guarantees with computational overhead.