Group-Based Communication Platform External Content Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing group-based communication platforms face difficulties in allowing members to share content externally while maintaining access restrictions within the group, making it cumbersome for members to share content with non-group members.
Innovation Solution
A group-based communication platform generates a shareable link for content shared within a channel, enabling members to access and share content externally without granting access to other channel content, allowing users to share content outside the platform while maintaining access controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content is shared within a closed group-based communication channel, then access control and security are maintained, but external sharing becomes difficult or cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content access by creating a shareable link that isolates specific content from the broader channel. The link points to a specific message or content item within the channel, allowing external users to access only that segmented portion without gaining access to the entire channel or its other contents. This resolves the contradiction by enabling external sharing of specific content while maintaining access control over the rest of the channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The shareable link acts as an intermediary between the closed channel and external users. Instead of directly granting external users access to the channel (which would compromise security), the link serves as a controlled gateway that provides access only to the specific content it references. This intermediary mechanism enables external sharing while preserving the integrity and access control of the original closed channel.
2Ease of operation
If a shareable link is generated for external content access, then external sharing ease is improved, but risk of unauthorized access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shareable link implements local quality by applying different access permissions to different portions of the channel content. The link is configured with specific properties that grant access only to the particular message or content item it references, while maintaining restricted access to all other channel contents. This localized access control enables easy external sharing of specific content without creating a general vulnerability to unauthorized channel access.
3Reliability
If closed group membership is maintained for security, then access control is preserved, but platform exposure and adoption opportunities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy or reference to the channel content through the shareable link, rather than requiring external users to join the actual channel. The link replicates access to specific content items without replicating the full channel membership structure. This copying mechanism allows platform content to be exposed externally while maintaining the integrity and closed membership structure of the original channel, thus increasing platform exposure without compromising access control.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes displaying first content within an interface of a group-based communication channel of a group-based communication platform on a first user device associated with a member of the group-based communication channel; receiving a request from the first user device to share the first content outside of the group-based communication platform; in response to the request from the first user device, generating a link to the first content for sharing outside of the group-based communication platform; receiving a request to view the first content from a second user device, wherein the request to view the first content originated outside of the group-based communication platform and is associated with the link; and displaying the first content on the second user device.