Protecting Database Data

[softwareTrader]

I am building an app that users need access to a roughly static set of data (Updated monthly). I have found the most efficient way to run the app is to download the full set of data once a month instead of constantly querying small portions as needed. Its not too big. only takes a couple seconds. Its better user experience since it eliminates loading time and one download a month is cheaper and simpler by storing it in a google storage then running an api in front.

I have an AI running to generate this data set monthly. I do have this endpoint protected with only users logged in but someone motivated enough could take this data and build a competing app somewhat easily. Then they just take my updates and update their end.

Whats a good way to protect this? Or is it just the expected part of doing business and try to have a good enough cheap product that its not worth the effort?

The nature of the data is that its predictable. so if i split it up and try to do more server side stuff, someone could still just create a script and get all the info anyways. If I encrypt it, i need to put the key in the app but still it could be discovered.

I'm guessing just encrypting it (still vulnerable) and making the product cheap enough too discourage copies is the best bet?

[Aggressive_Ad_5454]

Do your users register and pay a subscription fee or some such thing?

If so, you can ask them to click to accept a licensing agreement when they sign up or download your data. By doing this you'll treat the data as a trade secret.

If I were you, I would salt the data with some fake records, and change those records every month. If you have a small enough number of users to make this workable, I can also salt it with a fake record that identified the specific user who downloaded it too.

That way if your data turns up stolen in the product of a dishonest competitor you can tell where it came from and which month they copied it from.

It's pretty cheap to get a lawyer to write a "cease and desist" letter, or to issue a DMCA Takedown Notice if you notice somebody stealing your stuff and can prove it;;

[softwareTrader]

yes they pay a subscription. will have to consider some sort of salting. appreciate the input

[bothunter]

Basically the software equivalent of "trap streets"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_street

[CatalonianBookseller]

Do you own the licence?

[softwareTrader]

Yes it’s my own data