A method and apparatus for enabling hardware platform identification while ensuring privacy protection. The apparatus comprises a computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions. Those instructions, when executed by a microprocessor, cause an expected hash value, which is derived from a key and a first identifier for a computer system; to be compared with a hash value, which is derived from the key and a second identifier for a computer system. A microprocessor for executing those instructions may comprise an identifier that identifies the microprocessor, and embedded instructions for comparing a hash value, derived from the identifier and a key, to an expected hash value.