Message Forwarding Traceability for Full-Chain Revocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic messaging systems lack the ability to effectively revoke messages that have been forwarded beyond the original group, limiting control over message propagation and making it difficult to manage inappropriate or malicious content.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that stores records of forwarded messages with links to their origin, allowing the author or administrator to trace and revoke messages across all recipients, including forwarding chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If message forwarding is enabled in electronic messaging systems, then message propagation speed increases, but control over message distribution is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding traceable identifiers and forwarding records in messages before they are propagated. This allows the original sender to track and control forwarded messages later, resolving the contradiction by establishing control mechanisms in advance rather than requiring real-time intervention during propagation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where forwarding actions are recorded and reported back to the original sender. The sender receives notifications about message forwards and can initiate revocation based on this feedback, maintaining control while allowing propagation to occur
2Device complexity
If message revocation is limited to the original group only, then system complexity remains low, but revocation completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary component (the centralized server with message chain database) that mediates between the original sender and all forwarded messages. This intermediary tracks message propagation across groups and coordinates revocation, achieving complete revocation without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components
Solution Approach 2:
The message chain record structure serves multiple functions: it tracks forwarding history, enables revocation propagation, and provides audit trails. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, managing complexity while achieving comprehensive revocation control
3Loss of energy
If predetermined time limits are imposed on message revocation, then system resource consumption is reduced, but revocation effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing message chain records and traceability infrastructure before revocation is needed. This allows the system to maintain low resource consumption during normal operation while enabling effective revocation when required, without arbitrary time limits
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service revocation where the original sender can initiate revocation at any time based on their needs. The automated message chain tracking and propagation mechanisms then handle the revocation process efficiently, reducing manual intervention and optimizing resource usage
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for tracing forwards of an electronic message. One method includes storing, for each of a plurality of forwarded messages sent via an electronic messaging application, a record in a data store, each record including a link to an original message for the forwarded message and calculating, with an electronic processor, a statistic for an electronic message based on records stored in the data store, wherein the statistic includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a number of forwards of the electronic message, a number of recipients of the electronic message including all forwards of the electronic message, and a number of requests to revoke the electronic message. The statistic is then output for display to a user via at least one user interface.