Instant Message Retraction System for Privacy and Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Instant messaging in large organizations leads to numerous interruptions and risks of sending messages to unintended recipients, with existing solutions failing to effectively retract messages once sent, especially in network environments with logging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for retracting an instant message from a receiver in an instant messaging session, allowing the sender to request and confirm the retraction of the message, with notifications on success or failure, and incorporating security features to manage logging and privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If instant messaging is implemented in large organizations to enable real-time communication, then employee collaboration and efficiency are improved, but the risk of sending messages to unintended recipients and the inability to retract messages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing retraction capability before the harmful effect (unintended message delivery) becomes irreversible. When a message is sent, the system proactively provides the sender with a retraction option, allowing correction of potential errors before the recipient acts on the message or before logging becomes permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging system acts as an intermediary between sender and recipient, controlling the message delivery and retention process. The system mediates by allowing the sender to retract messages through the intermediary platform, preventing direct and irreversible communication. The intermediary also manages logging, providing control over information persistence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If employees have broad access to each other through instant messaging, then communication accessibility is improved, but the number of interruptions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by allowing selective message retraction for specific recipients while maintaining communication accessibility. Senders can retract messages from specific unintended recipients without affecting overall communication accessibility. This localized correction mechanism preserves broad access capability while eliminating specific harmful interruptions.
3Loss of information
If the receiver can save and share instant messages, then information retention capability is improved, but the risk of sensitive information being shared with others increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by allowing senders to retract messages before recipients can save or share them. By providing retraction capability at the point of delivery, the system prevents the harmful sequence where messages are saved and subsequently shared. The retraction action occurs preliminarily, before the information enters the recipient's control for potential redistribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by notifying senders when messages are successfully retracted or when retraction fails. This feedback mechanism allows senders to understand the status of their messages and take appropriate actions. The feedback loop creates accountability and awareness, reducing the likelihood of sensitive information being inadvertently retained or shared.
4Reliability
If the system provides retraction capability for instant messages, then message delivery accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The messaging system achieves universality by integrating multiple functions into a single platform: message delivery, message retraction, logging management, and notification services. Rather than creating separate systems for each function, the patent combines them into one unified messaging infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while improving message delivery accuracy through the retraction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a method for retracting an instant message from a receiver in an instant messaging session. A request is made to retract the instant message from the receiver. If the receiver is present in the session, the instant message is removed from the user interface of the receiver. Notification is sent to the requestor to indicate whether the instant message was successfully retracted and whether the instant message was saved by the receiver. Optionally, the method allows an entry made in an instant messaging log to be retracted when the corresponding instant message is retracted.