Two-Way Permission-Based Contact Directory for Privacy Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems for user data, such as social media networks, lack effective mechanisms for creating and managing private directories of contacts with two-way permission-based access, leading to issues with data privacy and control.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for creating a two-way permission-based directory of contacts that allows users to set permissions for their contact directories, enabling private and public settings, and allowing users to join directories based on predefined criteria, ensuring that only authorized users can access and share data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a public directory of contacts is created for network management, then data sharing capability is improved, but user data privacy and security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The contact directory is segmented into multiple permission levels (public, private-manual, private-auto), allowing users to divide their contact data into different access categories. This segmentation enables selective sharing where different portions of contact data can have different access permissions, thus improving data sharing capability while protecting privacy by restricting sensitive portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The directory permission structure is made dynamic and adjustable. Users can modify permission settings at any time, transitioning between public, private-manual, and private-auto modes. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to changing privacy needs while maintaining sharing capabilities, resolving the contradiction between fixed public access and flexible privacy protection.
2Reliability
If private-manual directory permission is set requiring administrator approval, then user data security is improved, but directory operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated approval mechanisms where the administrator's approval process is streamlined through self-service interfaces. Users can submit join requests and administrators can review and approve them through automated workflows, reducing the manual effort required while maintaining security. This resolves the contradiction by making the secure approval process more operationally efficient.
3Extent of automation
If private-auto directory permission with joining criteria is implemented, then automated access control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses template-based permission configurations where common access control scenarios are pre-defined as templates. Users can copy and modify these templates rather than creating complex permission rules from scratch. This reduces the perceived complexity while maintaining automated access control capabilities, as the underlying complexity is encapsulated in reusable templates.
4Measurement precision
If incoming requests are managed manually by administrators, then access control precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic review cycles for incoming directory join requests, where administrators can batch-review and approve multiple requests at scheduled intervals rather than handling each request individually in real-time. This periodic processing maintains access control precision while significantly reducing the time consumption by consolidating administrative actions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating and joining directories of contacts are provided. A method includes receiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, a first request to create the private directory of contacts, the first request including a directory joining criterion; creating the private directory of contacts; receiving, from a second user device associated with a second user, a second request to join the private directory of contacts; in response to determining that the second user meets the directory joining criterion, adding the second user to the private directory of contacts; and in response to determining that the second user does not meet the directory joining criterion, adding an incoming request, indicative of the second request, to a list of incoming requests of the first user.