A survey on communication complexity in quantum private information retrieval: Efficiency challenges and advances
Laxmi Kumari, Tarun Kumar Mahato · International journal of applied research · 2025
Quantum Private Information Retrieval (QPIR) is a new and growing area that uses quantum computing to improve privacy and efficiency in database searches. Traditional Private Information Retrieval (PIR) methods often require a large amount of communication between the user and the server, making them slow and costly. QPIR aims to solve this problem by using quantum techniques like superposition and entanglement to reduce communication while keeping the user’s query private. In this paper, we review different QPIR methods and analyze how they handle communication complexity. We compare multi-server and single-server models, discussing their strengths and weaknesses. We also explore the practical challenges of QPIR, such as the need for quantum resources, errors in quantum systems, and security against quantum attackers. Additionally, we highlight important research gaps, including how to make single-server QPIR more efficient, balancing security with speed, and understanding how future quantum computers might impact QPIR security. By addressing these challenges, this survey aims to support further research and help develop practical, efficient, and secure QPIR systems for real-world use.