Use Geo-Location Lookup and IP Obfuscation from the Datastream (WebSDK) in Adobe Analytics

[#1]

Description:

In our use case, we utilize the WebSDK and the Datastream for data collection. In addition to AEP, we also use Target, Analytics, and Event Forwarding as services. Our goal is to use IP obfuscation [full] and identical GEO lookup data across all services.

Why is this feature important to you:

For security and data governance reasons, it is important to us to configure these settings only once and not have to configure them additionally for each service.

How would you like the feature to work:

General settings and additional data determined in the datastream (IP obfuscation, geo lookup data) are extended in the payload/XDM, and all services use this data if available. The configurations that rely on previous integrations from AppMeasurement.js only apply if this data is not already present in the payload.

Current Behaviour:

Currently, and according to Adobe Support, we need to set the IP obfuscation in the datastream from "Full" to "Partial" so that the IP address reaches Adobe Analytics and another geo lookup can be performed. The geo lookup in the datastream and in the WebSDK configuration cannot be used to make geo information (country, state, city) available in the Analytics Workspace for analysis.

This leads to the need to search for settings in the other services to ensure that no IP information or similar data is stored.

[#2]

Hi @ddirren ,

As per the Analytics variable mapping documentation it automatically maps below four geo fields,

If you have tested this, did you see atleast Zip Code and US States fields being auto mapped or even these are not coming?

I also wonder why the remaining geo fields are not included in auto mapper given that they are available through the same lookup in datastream.

Cheers!

[#3]

Hi @Harveer_SinghGi1 ,

Very good point.

No, we have not tested the ZIP codes and US states, as we do not need this for our use case. If I have time this week, I can at least try to test the ZIP codes.

Unfortunately, I cannot test the US states, as our company is located in Europe.

Cheers

[#4]

Hi @Harveer_SinghGi1, 

We conducted a test using the postal code/ZIP code auto-mapping feature.

Configuration of the data stream:

• IP Obfuscation: Full
• Geo Lookup Data: Country, State, City, Postal Code

Results: The auto-mapping feature is functioning for the ZIP code. We are not able to verify the US States.

In the Analytics workspace, the results are as follows:

• Country: Unspecified
• State: Unspecified
• City: Unspecified
• ZIP Code: Values from Geo Lookup in the data stream
  
  

I hope this helps for your case. 

Cheers

[#5]

Hi @ddirren ,

I conducted the similar test of my own with below settings,

Configuration of the data stream:

• IP Obfuscation: Full
• Geo Lookup Data: All Available Fields

I can see all below fields populated in AEP,

placeContext.localTimezoneOffset

placeContext.ianaTimezone

placeContext.IPLocalTimezoneOffset

placeContext.localTime

placeContext.geo.postalCode

placeContext.geo.stateProvince

placeContext.geo.city

placeContext.geo._schema.latitude

placeContext.geo._schema.longitude

placeContext.geo.countryCode

placeContext.geo.dmaID

placeContext.IPLocalTime

However, only Zip Code field is populated in AA.

It will be good enhancement to the product if these lookups can be enabled through auto mapped fields for AA.

Cheers!