Ephemeral Group Chat With Automatic Message Deletion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chat systems lack secure data storage and efficient data cleanup, particularly in group text communications, leading to privacy and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing ephemeral group chat functionality that allows users to create group chats with automatic message deletion after all members have viewed the messages, using deletion triggers such as threshold viewing time or multiple user actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If messages are stored permanently in chat systems, then data availability is improved, but data security and user privacy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temporal parameter of message storage by introducing automatic deletion mechanisms. Messages are stored for a defined period and then automatically removed, transforming the storage state from permanent to ephemeral. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining messages long enough to be useful but removing them to ensure security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements disposable message storage where messages are treated as temporary data that serves its purpose and is then discarded. This ephemeral storage approach allows messages to be available when needed but eliminates long-term security risks by automatically deleting them after delivery or after a set period.
2Reliability
If automatic message deletion is implemented, then data security is improved, but data retention capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary deletion actions by pre-setting deletion triggers and conditions before messages need to be deleted. Deletion rules are established in advance, and the system automatically executes them when conditions are met, ensuring security without requiring manual intervention while maintaining messages for their necessary duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The message retention duration is made dynamic rather than static. Messages are retained for variable periods based on delivery status, user actions, or time-based triggers. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt retention time to specific needs, improving security when deletion is appropriate while maintaining availability when needed.
3Loss of information
If manual data cleanup is required, then data control precision is improved, but operational complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service data cleanup through automatic deletion mechanisms. Rather than requiring users to manually manage and delete messages, the system autonomously monitors message status and deletes them when predetermined conditions are met, such as successful delivery to all recipients or expiration of a time limit. This eliminates operational complexity while maintaining precise control over data retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops that monitor message delivery status and automatically trigger deletion when conditions are satisfied. The system continuously checks whether messages have been delivered to all intended recipients or have exceeded their retention period, and automatically executes deletion based on this feedback, removing the need for manual intervention while ensuring precise data management.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, systems, and computer readable media with instructions for group text communications between multiple devices, along with communication of associated data and automatic deletion of communications, are described. One embodiment involves generating a first ephemeral group chat, receiving a first ephemeral chat message, associated with one or more deletion triggers, and transmitting the first ephemeral message; and receiving, from at least the second client device, chat monitoring information comprising first deletion trigger information. In various embodiments, coordinated presentation and deletion of ephemeral chat messages are managed in a variety of ways.