Social Network Privacy Rule Engine for Relationship Information Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional social networks lack effective control over access to relationship information, allowing members to inadvertently share sensitive relationship details with inappropriate groups or individuals.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method within social networks to receive and process requests for relationship information, identifying privacy rules set by members, and outputting relevant information only if the requesting party satisfies these rules, using a social network engine with a relationship processor, privacy module, and display processor to manage and control access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If social networks allow members to view expanded profile information and relationship details, then information sharing and connectivity are improved, but privacy protection and control over relationship information deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments relationship information into different visibility levels and categories. Members can selectively make different relationship information (e.g., existence of relationship vs. type of relationship vs. profile details) visible or invisible to different groups of people. This segmentation allows users to control exactly what information is shared while maintaining the ability to connect with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different parts of the social network interface to have different privacy characteristics. Relationship information can be displayed with different levels of detail to different users based on their relationship to the member. For example, close friends can see detailed relationship information while acquaintances see only basic information.
2Productivity
If social networks provide comprehensive relationship information access, then network connectivity and engagement are improved, but unauthorized access to sensitive relationship data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring members to pre-set privacy rules and visibility preferences before relationships are formed or before information is requested. Members can establish which relationship information should be visible to which groups in advance, creating a framework that automatically controls future access requests without requiring real-time decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary privacy control system between the member's relationship information and the requesting user. This intermediary layer (the privacy rule engine) automatically evaluates requests against pre-set rules and mediates what information is revealed, preventing unauthorized direct access while maintaining legitimate connections.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If social networks enable members to control privacy settings, then privacy protection is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a single privacy rule setting mechanism that handles multiple types of relationship information (profile visibility, relationship existence, relationship type) through one unified interface. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate settings users must manage while maintaining comprehensive privacy control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling members to automatically control their own privacy settings without requiring system intervention or complex manual configuration. The system provides intuitive tools that allow members to set visibility rules once, and these rules automatically apply to future relationship information requests, reducing ongoing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied.